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INSHTUTICM 
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IOWAOOMMISSIONERS 

'TO THE "• 

!joui5i^,na Purchase &FGS1TIGN 






COPYRIGHTED BY 




M. HUEBINGER, C. E., Pres't & Manager. H. HUEBINGER, Vice-Pres't. 
T. W. GRIGGS, Sec'y & Treas. 



All Rights Reserved. 



/-C /) 



^1 




"^I^ 



(SCMETHINfr 
or IT5 HISTORY, 
ITS INSTITUTIONS 
ITSKESOUKCESAND 

'WATURAIp 
ADVamAfiES. 

'PUBLISHED ^y 

IOWACOMMISSIONERS 

TO THE 

Louisiana Purchase Exposition 

COPYRIGHT 1904 BYTHE IOWA PUBLCO. DAVENPORT, lA. 




'"^^•Wv^^ 



PREFACE. 




HE Commissioners for the State of Iowa to the 
Louisiana Purchase Exposition believed it wise to 
place the facts contained in this booklet in the 
hands of Commissioners from other States and 
other Nations to be preserved, it is hoped, as 
souvenirs of the year and the occasion which brought together 
at St. Louis the marvelous exhibition of the world's wealth. 

The State of Iowa, centrally situated, of all the States of the 
United States of America is the richest in natural resources, the 
most beautiful in landscape and the most promising for the abode 
of a cultured, contented and happy people. 

Where else on earth can be found a province or principality, 
a state or nation with 55,000 square miles of land so rich and of 
such even and average productivity.? And with neighbors so 
congenial, as the States which bound our borders ? With a 
healthful climate, free from biting northern winds, or blighting 
southern blasts, there is no place more deserving to be called 
home. 

This booklet is especially dedicated to the promoters of the 
Louisiana Purchase Exposition, not unmindful, however, of the 
splendid Iowa citizenship, which has made it possible to present 
such a record. It has been compiled and printed by the Iowa 
Publishing Company, of Davenport, Iowa. The Hon. W. C. 
Hayward, member of the State Senate, is the editor. Both 
publisher and editor deserve credit and commendation from the 
reader and especially from the people of Iowa for painstaking 
labor in the collection and arrangement of data for this record. 



^^^^ 




TMt IOWA PUBL'^HiNC r 



IOWA COMMISSION 

LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION. 

St. Louis, 1904. 



On January 6, 1899, Governor Leslie M. Shaw appointed and 
commissioned tiie following named gentlemen as a preliminary com- 
mission to represent the State of Iowa at a convention of representa- 
tives of the states in the "Louisiana Purchase" to be held in the 
city of St. Louis, Missouri, in the month of January, 1899: Samuel 
B. Evans, of Wapello county; Charles M. Junkin, of Jefferson county; 
S. B. Ziegler, of Fayette county; Charles A. Stanton, of Appanoose 
county; A. B. Funk, of Dickinson county; James C. Milliman, of 
Harrison county; Edward H. Hunter, of Polk county; Lafayette 
Young, of Polk county; Edward P. Heizer, of Woodbury county; 
John L. Waite, of Des Moines county; David Brant, of Clinton county; 
Charles J. A. Ericson, of Boone county; Wm. E. Fuller, of Fayette 
county; Samuel M. Leach, of Dallas county; Joseph Wallace, of Hardin 
county; W. C. Hay ward, of Scott county; William H. Dildine, of 
Woodbury county. 

This preliminary commission after thoroughly investigating the 
merits of the proposed exposition organized by electing J. C. Milliman, 
of Harrison county, as chairman, and unanimously reported to the 
Honorable L. M. Shaw, governor of Iowa, January 4, 1902, recommend- 
ing an appropriation of $250,000 as a suitable amount with which to 
make a creditable representation of the resovirces, products and 
natural advantages of the state. This commission labored without 
compensation, their expenses being paid by the membership, and 
they made their report in the hope that its work might be helpful 
to the state of Iowa. 

The twenty-ninth General Assembly after hearing the report of 
the preliminary commission appropriated $125,000 and provided for 
a commission of thirteen members, two at large and one from eacli 
congressional district, to be appointed by the governor, to have 
full power to devise and execute plans for the exhibit and representa- 
tion contemplated, and to serve without compensation except their 
actual expenses incurred while engaged in the work of the commission. 

April 29, 1902, Governor A. B. Cummins appointed the permanent 
commission as follows: 

7 



COMMISSIONERS: 

At large: — William Larrabee, Clermont; W. W. Witmer, Des 
Moines. 

First District: — LeRoy A. Palmer, Mt. Pleasant. 
Second District: — George M. Curtis, Clinton. 
Third District: — W. F. Harriman, Hampton. 
Fourth District: — Thomas Updegraff. McGregor. 
Fifth District: — J. H. Trewin, Cedar Rapids. 
Sixth District: — S. S. Carruthers, Bloomfield. 
Seventh District: — S. M. Leach, Adel. 
Eighth District: — S. Bailey, Mt. Ayr. 
Ninth District: — W. T. Shepherd, Harlan. 
Tenth District: — C. J. A. Ericson, Boone. 
Eleventh District:— Will C. Whiting. Whiting. 
The commissioners permanently organized on October 7. 1902, 
by electing the following 

OFFICERS: 
William Larrabee, President. 
W. F. Harriman, Vice President. 
S. M. Leach, Treasurer. 
F. R. Conaway, Secretary. 

EXE,CUTIVE COMMITTEE: 

W. W. Witmer, Chairman; S. M. Leach, LeRoy A. Palmer. J. H. 

Trewin, George M. Curtis. 

Dr. P. L. Prentis was first appointed on this commission from the 

8th district, but resigned and Dr. Bailey was appointed in his place. 

December 18, 1902, the several commissioners were assigned to the 

chairmanship of the various departments, as follows: 

Live stock, W. F. Harriman. 

Agriculture, Will C. Whiting. 

Dairy and Apiary, C. J. A. Ericson. 

Horticulture, Dr. S. Bailey. 

Minerals and Geology, S. S. Carruthers. 

Manufacturing and Machinery, S. M. Leach. 

Educational, J. H. Trewin. 

Fine Arts, LeRoy A. Palmer. 

f J 
Women's Work, Geo. M. Curtis. | 

Forestry and Lumber, W. T. Shepherd. h 

Press and Publicity, W. W. Witmer. |j 

State Institutions, President Wm. Larrabee. fi| 

Archaeological, Historical and Statistical "I 

Information, Thomas Updegraff. I 

8 ' 




INTERIOR VIEWS IOWA STATE BUILDING-LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION. 





The State of Iowa 



Descriptive and 
Historical. 



nHE state of Iowa is 
washed on its eastern 
border by the Mississip- 
pi river and on its western by 
the Missouri; on the north it is 
bounded by the state of Min- 
nesota and on the south by the 
state of Missouri; it is nearly 
rectangular in form and contains 
55,475 square miles of surface 
or 35,504,000 acres. Its highest 
point is in the vicinity of Spirit 
Lake and its lowest at the 
mouth of the Des Moines river. 
The distance between these 
points is about 300 miles and 
the difference in altitude 1,200 
feet, making an average slope 
of four feet to the mile. The 
slope from the northeast cor- 
ner of the state to the southeast 
is one foot and one inch per 
mile; from the northwest cor- 
ner to the southwest corner^ 
two feet per mile; from the 
northeast corner to Spirit Lake, 
five feet and five inches per 



mile; from the northwest corner to Spirit Lake, five feet per mile These 
figures give an idea of the general lay of the land. 

While largely a prairie state, its surface is crossed by a net work of 
streams, most of them fringed with narrow belts or occasional groves of 
timber that give beauty to the landscape and provide valuable utilities 
for its people. Its soil is rich and productive, its waters clear and 
sweet, its air pure and bracing and its climate, though temperate, suffi- 
ciently variable to Induce health and vigor without reaching the ex- 
tremes of heat and cold found farther south and farther north. No other 
equal area of the earth's surface has less waste land. It is an ideal 
country for diversified farming and for country living. Every farmer 
has a flowing stream or wells of water or both, and acres of native or 
artificial gi'ove, or both; he has plow land, meadow land, pasture, orch- 
ard, and garden; he raises wheat, oats, corn, barley, vegetables, and 
fi'uits; timothy, clover and blue grass; horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and 
poultry; butter and eggs, milk and honey are his; he lives on the fat of 
the land and produces it himself. Schools and churches are close at 
hand, the city or village not far away, rural free mail delivery brings 
him his daily paper, the telephone gives him communication with the 
city and with his neighbors and soon the electric trolley line will pro- 
vide a railroad at his very door. 

COAL. 

An important resource of the state is its vast, almost inexhaustable. 
beds of coal which provide cheap fuel for manufacturing and other pur- 
poses, and its manufacturing interests are steadily responding to the 
situation, and each year growing to be more and more important. The 
situation is an ideal one for bringing together the farm and the factory: 
the producers and the consumers of the products of each. 

TRANSPORTATION. 

The state is also well provided with railroad transportation. A net- 
work of roads cross its surface in all directions, and at the hundreds of 
stations grow up thriving towns and villages. The Mississippi river is 
a growing factor in questions of transportation and the early comple- 
tion of the Hennepin canal will have its influence also in determining 
rates on heavy freightage. The interurban electric car line is just be- 
ginning to make history in Iowa, and is likely to be of great importance 
to all interests. 

12 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Iowa has a splendid system of free schools. School houses are 
everywhere within easy reach and all children between the ages of five 
and twenty-one years are given the opportunity to secure an education 
practically without cost. Facilities for obtaining a higher eduction than 
those afforded by the common school are within easy reach at small ex- 
pense. Nearly every village has its graded school, the larger ones have 
high schools, and public colleges and universities are at various places 
within the state. Added to these are numerous private and parochial 
schools, all well patronized and doing most excellent work. 

OUT OF DEBT. 

The state has no bonded indebtedness and no floating debt, and 
state taxes as compared with those of other states are remarkably low. 
For several years the state has had a cash balance in its treasury aver- 
aging over a million dollars. 

A large percentage of the counties of the state are also out of debt and 
have money in their treasuries. Municipal affairs in general have been 
splendidly managed. These facts bear witness to the intelligence, prac- 
tical common sense and good business ability of the great masses of the 
people of Iowa. 

POLITICAL HISTORY. 

It is not the purpose of this sketch to enter upon a detailed descrip- 
tion of events taking place in the early history of this continent leading 
up to the organization of Iowa as a territory and state. A brief refer- 
ence will be made only to important events and their dates. Neither is 
it deemed necessary to refer at great length to all that has transpired at 
a later date, the purpose being to give a condensed but clear and chrono- 
logical statement of such facts of historical interest as are deemed of 
greatest importance, without much filling in of detail. 

The first discovery of the Mississippi river, that constitutes the 
eastern boundary of Iowa, is credited by history to Ferdinand de Soto 
and his band of explorers who reached it at the mouth of the Washita 
river in the spring of 1542. In July, 1543, they descended the Missis- 
sippi from the point of discovery to the Gulf of Mexico. They did not 
follow it up stream. 

The Upper Mississippi was first reached by Marquette and Jolict 
with a party composed of themselves and five other French Canadians, 
who in the course of their travels came down the Wisconsin river until 

13 



they reached the Mississippi anri thon continued on down the latter as 
far as the mouth of the Illinois river. This was in the summer of 1673. 
The first white men to set foot on Iowa soil were undoubtedly Mar- 
quette and Joliet and their party, who, on the trip referred to in the pre- 
ceding paragraph, discovered foot prints and a pathway on the west 
hank of the Mississippi and went ashore to ascertain whence they led 
and by whom made. They soon found an Indian village and remained 




Capitol at Belmond, Wisconsin, where the First Session of the Legislature 

convened on October 25, 1836, and adjourned December 9th, while Iowa 

was a part of Wisconsin territory. 



for a friendly visit of six days. The place of landing was near the 
mouth of the Des Moines river, and the date was June 25, 1673. 

The next white voyagers on the Mississippi were LaSalle and Hen- 
nepin, the latter following its course north to the Falls of St. Anthony 
and then returning to join his leader, LaSalle, who with his small party 
floated on its waters to the sea. This expedition, from start to finish, 
covered the time from late in 1679 to the spring of 1682. 

Spain was the first claimant of territory bordering the southern 
Mississippi, but failing to make settlements and improvements its title 
seemed to lapse and France, by re-discovery and occupation, established 

14 



territorial rights and ownership. These were adhered to by France until 
1762, when, in a secret treaty, she ceded to Spain all her possessions 
west of the Mississippi from its source to its mouth and west to the 
Rocky mountains and beyond. This wide extent of territory hao been 
named the province of Louisiana. 










h lilii in~^* ff 




Old Zion Church at Burlington, Iowa, where the Territorial Legislature of 
Wisconsin convened in 1837 and 1838, and where the Territorial Legis- 
lature of Iowa held its session in 1838, 1839, 1840. 

In March, 1801, Spain ceded back to France all of the province of 
Louisiana, but did not give up its possession. 

In 1804, by authority of France, Spain conveyed the province of 
Louisiana to the United States, the latter paying for it the sum of fif- 
teen millions of dollars, which went to France. The purchase was made 
from France by the United States in 1803, but was not fully ratified by 
Spain until nearly a year later. 



15 



It is the one huiidreth anniversary of this purchase that is being com- 
memorated by the international exposition at St. Louis. 

The Louisiana Purchase covered an area of 875,025 square miles or 
560,016,000 acres. It embraced what now constitutes the entire states 
of Arl\ansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, parts of 
Minnesota, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Louisiana, all of In- 
dian Territory and part of Oklahoma. 

In 1804 congress divided the newly acquired province into two parts 
separated by the thirty-third parallel of north latitude. The part south 
of this line it named the territory of Orleans and that north the district 
of Louisiana. 

In 1805 the district of Louisiana was organized as a territory of the 
same name. 

In 1812 the territory of Louisiana was re-organized and called the 
territory of Missouri. 

In 1819 the territory of Arkansas was formed including the present 
state of that name, and country to the westward. 

In 1821 Missouri was admitted as a state in its present form. 

In 1834 the territory bounded on the east by the Mississippi river 
and on the south by the state of Missouri, was made part of the terri- 
tory of Michigan. 

On July 4, 1836, the territory of Wisconsin was created, including 
the present states of Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. 

On July 4, 1838, the territory of Iowa was created, including at that 
time all the present state and reaching north to the British possessions. 

In October, 1844, a convention was held at Iowa City to consider the 
question of statehood, fix upon boundary lines and prepare a constitu- 
tion. The boundary lines agreed upon tool; in not only the present state 
but a considerable of Minnesota. 

In 1845 congress passed an act providing for the admission of Iowa 
as a state, but defined its boundary on the west by a line that would now 
run north between Ringgold and Taylor counties, and on the north by a 
line running west from the mouth of Blue Earth or Mankato river, mak- 
ing a long, narrow state. 

The boundary lines fixed by congress were not satisfactory to the 
people of the proposed state and at an election held August 4, 1845, for 
the adoption or rejection of statehood as proposed, it was rejected by a 
vote of 7,235 for, to 7,656 against. 

16 



On May 4, 1846, another convention met at Iowa City and continued 
in session for fifteen days, at which the present boundary lines and pres- 
ent constitution, as originally drawn, was agreed to and the same rati- 
fied and adopted by a vote of the people on August 3, 1846. The vote 
this time was 9,492 for and 9,036 against. This was agreed to by con- 
gress and on December 28, 1846, Iowa was admitted as the 29th state in 
the union. 




jflTfiiiiMill' 




store room at Iowa City where the Fourth Territorial Legislature of Iowa 
held its session in 1S41. 



The act of congress creating Iowa as a separate territory became 
effective on July 4, 1838. It provided for the appointment of a governor, 
whose term should be three years, and for a secretary, chief and two 
associate justices, a U. S. attorney and a marshal who should serve four 
years. It also provided for a teiTitorial legislature consisting of a coun- 
cil and a house of representatives, the former to consist of thirteen 
members and the later of twenty-six. The same act divided the state 
into three judicial districts. 

The first territorial governor of Iowa was Robert Lucas, ex-gov- 
ernor of Ohio, who was appointed by President Martin Van Buren in 
1838. He was succeeded by John Chambers, appointed in 1841, and he 
by James Clark, appointed in 1845. 



The first delegate in congress was William W. Chapman who served 
in the 25th and 26th congresses. After him came Augustus C. Dodge who 
served in the 27th, 28th, and 29th congresses; and then in the 30th, 31st. 
32nd and 33d congresses as U. S. senator. Francis Gehon was elected 
delegate in 1839 but did not serve. In March, 1839, congress passed an 
act providing that the delegate from Iowa (William W. Chapman) should 
hold his seat until October, 1840, that the next delegate should only hold 
his seat until March 4th, following, and after that the term should be 
two years the same as other members. 

The first governor of Iowa after it became a state was Ansel Briggs, 
of Jackson county^ elected in October, 1846. Others in the order of their 
«>lectlon and service down to the present time are as follows: Stepher. 
Hempstead, James W. Grimes, Ralph P. Lowe, Samuel J. Kirkwood, 
William M. Stone, Samuel Merrill, Cyrus C. Carpenter, Samuel J. Kirk- 
wood, Joshua G. Newbold, John H. Gear, Buren R. Sherman, William 
Larrabee, Horace Boies, Frank D. Jackson, Francis M. Drake, Leslie M. 
Shaw, Albert B. Cummins 

Samuel J. Kirkwood resigned Feb. 1. 1877. to take a seat in the 
U. S. senate to which he had been elected, and his unexpired term was 
served out by Lieutenant Governor Joshua G. Newbold, who then* be- 
came governor for that period. 

The first legislative session held in Iowa was that of the territory 
of Wisconsin held at Burlington, Nov. 10, 1837, to Jan. 20, 1838. The 
second session was an extra one, also of the Wisconsin territorial leg- 
islature, at Burlington, June 1, to June 12, 1838. Iowa territorial legis- 
lative sessions were held at Burlington until 1841, when Iowa City be- 
came the seat of government At the session of 1838-9 an act was passed 
appointing Chauncy Swan, Robert Ralston and John Ronalds, commis- 
sioners to select a site within the limits of Johnson county for a state 
capital, and to lay out a section of land into a town to be called Iowa 
City and to sell lots and put up necessary public buildings. An appro- 
priation of $40,000 was made toward a capital building and the commis- 
sioners were also authorized to borrow $20,000 if necessary on unsold 
lots. Previous to this congress had granted a section of land, to be 
selected by the territory, and had appropriated $20,000 in money to aid 
the territory in putting up buildings, but this was made use of to aid in 
the construction of a penitentiary at Fort Madison. The commissioners 
proceeded to carry out instructions and selected the present site of Iowa 
City, laid out a town and on August 16, 1839, held their first public sale of 

18 



lots. This sale realized $75,000. Another sale was held in October, real- 
izing $30,000 more. These several amounts, aggregating $145,000, consti- 
tuted the funds in hand for a capitol building. A contract was let and 




The former capitol at Iowa City, first occupied by the Fifth Territorial Leg- 
islature in 1842, but not completed until 1855. Now one of 
the State University Buildings. 



work begun in April, 1840, and in June the foundation was completed. 
The contractors then threw up their contract and abandoned the work. 
Commissioner Swan then took it in hand and went ahead with it. Stone 

19 



for the first story was obtained within the city limits except those used for 
the water table which were brought from Cedar county, twenty miles 
away. In the fall of 1841 the walls were up only to the top of the first 
story. The legislature met that winter and held its sessions in a tem- 
porary building provided by the citizens of Iowa City. During the ses- 
sion John M. Coleman was appointed superintendent of public buildings, 
In the mean time good building stone had been discovered on the banks 
of the Iowa river, a few miles above the city, which was quarried and 
brought down the river on flat boats and work on the building pro- 
gressed more rapidly. 

The legislature first convened in the new capitol building on Decem- 
ber 5, 1842, although it was not fully completed, the superintendent esti- 
mating that about $40,000 was needed for that purpose. 

At the first session of the .legislature, after the admission of Iowa as 
a state, bills were introduced providing for a more central location for 
the state capital. One of these was passed, in which commissioners 
were named to select five sections of land in a central location, plat a 
town, sell lots, etc. The commissioners proceeded and made selection of 
land in Jasper county, two sections in what is now Des Moines township 
and the balance in Fairview township, between Prairie City and Monroe. 
Here they laid out a town, named it Monroe City and held a public sale 
of lots. Four hundred and fifteen lots were sold. The terms were one- 
fourth cash and the balance on time. The first report of the commis- 
sioners to the legislature showed cash receipts of $1,797.43 while their 
expenses were $2,206.57. This showing seemed to discourage further 
proceedings in that line, at that time, and Monroe City was abandoned, 
and vacated, and lot purchasers refunded their money. 

In 1851 bills were introduced in the legislature providing for the re- 
moval of the state capital to Pella and to Fort Des Moines, but failed to 
pass. At the next session another effort was made to remove the capital 
to Fort Des Moines but did not succeed. But the next effort won, and 
on January 15, 1855, the governor signed a bill providing for the loca- 
tion of the capital "within two miles of the Raccoon forks of the Des 
Moines river" and appointing a commission to select the exact spot. The 
present site was selected in 1856 on land donated the state by citizens of 
Des Moines. 

An association of Des Moines business men erected a building for a 
temporary state capitol and leased it to the state at a nominal rental 
and on October 19, 1857, Governor Grimes issued a proclamation declar- 
ing Des Moines the capital of Iowa. The removal of books ana safes 

20 



was made soon after, the safe of the state treasurer's office being hauled 
on bobsleds by ten yoke of oxen. On January 11, 1858, the legislature 
convened for the first time in Des Moines. 

In 1864 the state purchased the building it was occupying and had 
been renting. 

In 1870 the legislature made its first definite move towards a new 
state house. An initial sum of $150,000 was appropriated and a board 




The first capitol building at Des Moines, where the Legislature convened 

January 11, 1S58. 



of capitol commissioners appointed to take charge of the work. The 
commission consisted of the following persons: Governor of the state, 
ex-officio president of the commission; Grenville M. Dodge, of Coimcil 
Bluffs; James F. Wilson, of Fairfield; James Dawson, of Washington; 
Simon G. Stein, of Muscatine; James O. Crosby, of Garnavillo; Charles 
Dudley, of Agency City; John N. Dewey, of Des Moines; Wm. L. Joy, of 
Sioux City; Alexander R. Fulton, Des Moines, secretary. On November 
23, 1871, the corner stone of the new building was laid. In 1872 the 
general assembly elected a new board of capitol commissioners consist- 
ing of the governor of the state, ex-officio, John G. Foote of Des Moines 

21 



county, Maturiu L. Fisher, of Clayton county, Robert S. Finkbine and 
Peter A. Dey of Johnson county. General Ed. Wright, of Polk county, 
was made secretary of the board. Construction of the building was car- 
ried on by the commission, under the honest and capable superintend- 
ence of Robert S. Finkbine with General Ed. Wright as assistant. 

The capitol building is an honor to the state and a credit to its 
builders. It is solid and substantial in structure and handsome in ap- 
pearance. The total cost was nearly $3,000,000 and the work of construc- 
tion was carried on by means of legislative appropriations, made from 
time to time, and no state indebtedness incurred. This great work was 
completed without a whisper of scandal or unfriendly criticism, and 
stands as a splendid monument to the honor, integrity and ability of its 
builders and all in any degree associated with them. 

POPULATION. 

An idea of the rapid growth of the state may be had by a glance at 
a statement of census returns, as follows: 

When the territory of Wisconsin was organized in 1836, that part of 
It comprised within the limits of the present state of Iowa contained a 
population of 10,531. In 1838, when Iowa was set off as a separate and 
independent teritory the population of that part within its present 
limits, had increased to 22,589, and so on, as shown by the following 
table: — 

YEAR POPULATION YEAR POPULATION 

1836 10.531 1860 674.913 

1838 22,589 1870 1,194,020 

1840 43,112 1880 1.624,615 

1846 97,588 1890 1.911,896 

1850 192,214 1900 2,231,853 

Increase between 1890 and 1900,-319,957 or 16.7 per cent. 

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 

Prom U. S. Census Report of 1900. 

Total acreage of the state 35,504,000 

Total farm acreage 34,574,337 

Total number of farms . . 228,622 

Average acreage per farm 151.2-|- 

Total acres improved 29,897,552 

Number of farms operated by owners 148,886 

Number of farms operated by cash tenants 44,502 

Number of farms operated by share tenants .35.234 

Value of farms including improvements $1,497,554,790 

Value of live stock $ 278,830.096 

Value of products not fed to live stock $ 263,388,488 

Value of farm implements and machinery S 57,960,660 

Total paid out in one year for farm labor $ 16,375,670 

22 



Farms under 3 


dcres 


, 975; 


Farms 3 to 9 


» 


4,756; 


Farms 10 " 19 


(i 


5 917; 


Farms 20 " 49 


" 


21,475; 


Farms 50 " 99 


" 


49,665; 


Farms 100 " 174 


" 


79,923; 


Farms 175 " 259 


" 


38,144; 


Farms 260 " 499 


(1 


24,609, 


Farms 500 " 999 


" 


2,818 


Farms 1000 and over 


340, 



average 



je 1.9 acres 


total 


6 






13.4 " 






35.6 " 






77.1 " 






140.1 " 






214.7 " 






322 






626 


a 


1.610.1 " 




( 



Totals, 



228,622 



151.2+ 
FARM CROPS. 



1,838 

28,517 

79,572 

765,266 

3,828.843 

11,197,376 

8,190,183 

8,171,295 

1,764,029 

547,418 

34,574,337 



From the U. 
KIND ACRES 

Corn 9,804,076... 

Wheat 1,689,705.... 

Oats 4,695,361.... 

Barley 627,851.... 

Rye 89,172.... 

Buckwheat 13.834 

Flaxseed 126,453.... 

Kaffir corn 66. . . . 

Broom corn 2,220. . . . 

Clover seed 

Grass seed 

Hay and forage 4,644,378. . . . 

Tobacco 131 

Peanuts 7. . . . 

Dry beans 2,427 

Dry peas 1,556 . . . . 

Potatoes 175,888 . . . . 

Sweet potatoes 2,688 . . . . 

Onions 1,195.... 

Other vegetables.... 81,502.... 

Maple sugar 

Maple syrup 

Sorghum cane 7,999. . . . 

Sorghum syrup 

Orchard fruits 180,076. . . . 

Small fruits 9,653.... 

Grapes 5,180 . . . . 

Flowers and plants.. . 140. . . . 

Seeds 71 

Nurserv products. . . . 2,905. . . . 

Nuts ..\. 

Forest products 

Miscellaneous 



, S. Census of 1900. 

QUANTITY 
383,453,190 bushels 
22,769,440 
168,364,170 
18,059,060 
1,179,970 
151,120 
1,413,380 
1,408 
1,178,130 pounds 
15,114 bushels 
1,276,958 



VALUE 

. . . $97,297,707 

. . . 11,457.808 

. . . 33,254,987 

5,342,363 

480,817 

84,842 

1,380,102 

552 

50,636 

69,640 

1,146,123 

6,851,871 tons 30,042,246 

127.420 pounds 

127 bushels 

24,903 

27,606 

17,305,919 

224,622 

292',097 



2.320 pounds 
2,662 gallons 
10,033 tons 
521,212 gallons 



7,403,900 centals 



Total 22,164,564 



8,345 

164 

38,296 

24,473 

3,870,746 

128,981 

177,088 

3,332,039 

280 

2,640 

29,125 

190,695 

1,849,767 

878.447 

166,360 

320,407 

6,044 

619,092 

7,603 

3,265,628 

28,501 

8195,552,544 



23 



LIVE STOCK. 



Cattle, all ages, on farms 

Horses 

Mules 

Sheep 

Swine 

Goats 

Poultry on farms 

Bees (swarms) " 

Unclassified 



5.367,630 

1,392.573 

57,579 

1,056,718 

9,7-23,791 

41,468 

20,043.343 

138,811 



Value. 



Total value of live stock on farms. 



518,902 
,720,577 
,737,529 
,956,142 
,764,176 
146,708 
,535,464 
443,923 
6,675 



Cattle, all ages, not on farms. 

Horses 

Mules 

Sheep 

Swine 

Goats 



$278,830,096 

NUMBER 

. . . 79,880 

. . 154,775 

5,741 

2,857 

. . . 128,138 

807 



DAIRY INDUSTRY. 

The Iowa cow is a great factor in the prosperity of the state. She 
furnishes calves that grow into beef, and milk to not only feed the calves 
but from which cream is separated that makes the best butter in the 
world. The cows of Iowa number about 1,500,000; they are worth an 
average of about $30 each or $45,000,000. They furnish the cream for 
150,000,000 pounds of butter per annum, over half of which is shipped and 
sold in the markets of the world, and much of the balance is sold at 
home. And the Iowa cow is not an exhauster of the soil. It is said 
that in selling a thousand dollars worth of wheat, about $350 worth of 
fertility goes with it; that in selling a thousand dollars worth of corn, 
about $250 worth of fertility is lost: if the thousand dollars worth of 
grain be used to fatten beef, pork, mutton and poultry, to be sold, not 
over $25 worth of fertility is lost, but if it is fed to the cows, and milk 
and butter only is sold, not a dollars worth of fertility is lost. The pro- 
duct of the cow is clear money, less cost of care, keeping and preparing 
for market. There is another thing in favor of the dairy industry, the 
price of butter is remarkably steady and uniform, from year to year. 
Prices of beef and pork, and of wheat and corn, may fluctuate widely but 
the price of good butter remains practically the same, year in and year 
out. That Iowa is especially adapted to this industry is shown by the 
statement that one-fourth of all the creamery butter sold in the United 
States is made in this state and that Iowa produces one-tenth of all the 
butter made on this continent. 

24 




25 






l^ ^ 



■^"t. 1"'Jt 







^-V, 







26 



The stability of the butter market is shown by the following state- 
ment of the average price per pound per annum of fancy western cream- 
ery butter in the New York market, the annual average price being made 
up from monthly averages for each year given: The year 1895, .2190; 
1896, .1882; 1897, .1885; 1898, .1971; 1899, .2065; 1900, .2278; 1901, .2165; 
1902, .2416. 

COAL OUTPUT BY COUNTIES FOR 1902. 

From Iowa State Geological Report. 

COUNTY No. Mines Tonnage Average Price per ton Value 

Adams 13 18.147 $2.32 $ 42.193 

Appanoose 47 771,363 1.66 1,284,25a 

Boone 11 264,524 1.93 509.624 

Dallas 4 18,845 1.99 37,.557 

Davis 6 3,6.33 1.68 6,093 

Greene 6 11,573 1.33 15,345 

Guthrie 2 2,300 2.12 4,875 

Jasper 16 235,390 1.43 334,963 

Jefferson 5 10.284 1.86 19.146 

Keokuk 13 160,403 1.57 251,769 

Lucas 3 238,862 1.33 318 993 

Mahaska 18 549,245 1..33 7.32,203, 

Marion 24 269,724 1.08 290,419 

Monroe 10 1,349,722 1.29 1,7.36,432 

Scott 7 10,358 1.92 19,858 

Page 5 10.070 2.51 25,277 

Polk 20. 1,007,860 1.50 1,507,431 

Storv 1 244 3.00 732 

Taylor 3 13,007 2.24........ 29,186 

Van Buren 5 14,816 1.65 24.499 

Wapello 16 340,579 1.36 460,056 

Warren 8 20,127 1.90 38,288 

Wayne 4 64,164 1.71 109,734 

Webster 16 140,007 1.83 256.470 

Small producers Jl 2,016 1.67 3,403 

Totals 274 5,527,263 $ 1.46 $8,058,799 

The above figures include mine run, steam coal, nut and slack. 
Some mines produce but very little slack and in those cases the average 
price per ton is higher than where there is considerable slack. In some 
counties where the mines are small the output is sold locally, in others 
where the output is large, it is nearly all shipped away. 

According to the reports of the United States Geological Survey for 
1900, Iowa ranked as the ninth state in coal tonnage produced and sixth 
in its value. 

27 



MANUFACTURING. 
From the U. S. census of 1900. 

Number of leading establishments 14,819 

Capital invested $102,733,103 

Cost of material used 101,170,357 

Miscellaneous expenses 7,988,767 

Value of products $164,617,877 

Number of proprietors and firm members 16,619 

Number of salaried officers, clerks, etc 5,664 

Salaries paid to above $ 4,486,117 

Average number of wage earners employed 58.553 

Amount paid in wages $ 23,931,680 

In addition to above there are reported by the census enumerators, 
3,610 small shops and factories where one or more workmen are em- 
ployed, covering hand trades and products or earnings of less than $1,500 
per annum each. 

There are sixteen plants that manufacture food preparations, the 
value of their annual output being over $3,600,000. 

There are in the state over 900 cheese, butter and condensea milk 
factories, their annual product amounting in value to nearly $16,000,000. 

BANKS AND BANKING. 

Iowa has 253 national banks, 244 state banks, 375 savings banks, 
and 557 private banks, making a grand total of 1,429 banking institu- 
tions. Their combined capital amounts to over $51,000,000 and de- 
posits in round numbers to $265,000,000. There have been compara- 
tively few bank failures in Iowa. Following the panic of 1893, during 
the years of 1894 and 1895, there was not a bank in Iowa that failed, 
while in bordering states there were forty-four failures. 

The state of Iowa has no bonded indebtedness and not a dollar 
of floating debt; on the contrary it has, and has had for several years, 
a cash balance in its treasury of an average of upwards of a million 
dollars. 

OFFICIAL REGISTER. 

Iowa is represented in the congress of the United States by two 
members of the senate who are elected for terms of six years each at a 
joint session of the two branches of the Iowa legislature; and by eleven 
members of the national house of representatives, who are elected by the 
voters of their respective districts for terms of two years each. U. S. 
senators are paid salaries of $6,000 each per annum and members of tho 
house $5,000. 

28 



state officers and state organizations and officials are as follows: 
Governor, elected by the people, term two years, salary $5,000 per annum. 

Secretary of State, Auditor of State, Treasurer of State, Attorney 
General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Clerk of Supreme Court; 
all elected by the people, terms two years, salaries $2,200 each per an- 
num. 

An Executive Council composed of the Governor, Secretary, Auditor 
and Treasurer of State; compensation, $500 each per annum. 

Three Railroad Commissioners, elected by the people, terms three 
years, salaries $2,200 each per annum. 

A Board of Control of three members appointed by the governor for 
terms of six years and confirmed by the senate, salaries, $3,000 each per 
annum. This board has management and control of the following pub- 
lic institutions: 

Iowa Soldiers Home at Marshalltown. 

Iowa Soldiers Orphans Home at Davenport. 

State Hospital for Insane at Mt. Pleasant. 

State Hospital for Insane at Independence. 

State Hospital for Insane at Clarinda. 

State Hospital for Insane at Cherokee. 

College for the Blind at Vinton. 

College for the Deaf at Council Bluffs. 

Institution for Feeble Minded at Glenwood. 

Industrial School for Boys at Eldora. 

Industrial School for Girls at Mitchellville. 

Industrial Reformatory for Females at Anamosa. 

Penitentiary at Anamosa. 

Penitentiary at Fort Madison. 

This board is also required to investigate the acts and proceedings 
of the regents and trustees, and examine the books and records of the — 

State University at Iowa City, 

State Normal School at Cedar Falls. 

State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Ames. 

The board also has supervision of county and private institutions in 
which insane persons are kept, and of associations and societies receiv- 
ing friendless children. 

State Librarian, elected by library trustees, term six years, salary 
$2,000 per annum. The trustees are ex-officio governor of the state, 
secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction and the six 
judges of the supreme court. 

29 



Curator of State Historical Department, elected by trustees, term six 
years, salary $1,600 per annum. Trustees the same as the state library 
board. 

State Printer, elected by the legislature, term two years, paid for 
actual work. 

State Binder, elected by the legislature, term two years, paid for 
actual work. 




State Capitol of Iowa. Twentieth General Assembly convened in it January 

16, 18S4. 



Adjutant General, appointed by the governor, term two years, sal- 
ary $2,000 per annum. 

Department of Agriculture, rooms in state capitol. Secretary elect- 
ed by board, salary $1,500. Assistant. $900. Board consists of one di- 
rector from each congressional district. Ex-officio members are the 
governor, president of the state college of agriculture and mechanic arts, 
state dairy commissioner and state veterinarian. 

30 



Horticultural Society, rooms in state capitol. Board consists of one 
director from each congressional district with president, vice-president, 
secretary, treasurer and librarian outside the board. 

Pharmacy Commission of three members appointed ))y the governor, 
terms three years, compensation $5 per day for time spent. Secretary 
elected by the commission, salary $1,200 per annum. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Commissioner appointed by the gov- 
ernor, salary $1,500; Deputy, $1,000. 

Dairy Commissioner, appointed by the governor, salary $1,500; 
Deputy, $1,000; Asistant, $1,000. 

Three Mine Inspectors, appointed by the governor, salaries $1,500 
each. 

State Board of Health of nine members appointed by the governor, 
and two ex-officio members; per diem and expenses. Secretary, elected 
by the board, salary $1,200 and also $300 for acting as secretary and 
treasurer of the state board of medical examiners, made up from mem- 
bership of the board of health. 

Board of Educational Examiners, two members, one a woman, ap- 
pointed by the governor for terms of four years each and not eligible for 
re-appointment. Ex-officio members, the superintendent of public in- 
struction, president of the state university and presid-ent of the state 
normal school. 

Board of Examiners of Mine Inspectors, composed of five members 
appointed by the executive council for terms of two years. Compensa- 
tion $5 per day for time engaged in performance of duties. 

State Inspectors of Boats, composed of seven members, appointed 
by the governor. Terms, two years, compensation, fees. 

State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, composed of three 
members appointed by the governor, terms three years, compensation $5 
per day. 

State Board of Dental Examiners, composed of five members, terms 
five years, appointed by the governor, compensation $5 per day. 

Superintendent of Weights and Measures, appointed by the gov- 
ernor. Salary $50 per annum. 

Director of Weather Service, appointed by the governor, term two 
years, salary $1,500 per annum 

State Fish and Game Warden, appointed by the governor for a term 
of three years. Salary, $1,200 per annum. 

Board of voting machine commissioners appointed by the governor; 
three members, term five years, compensation $150 for each commission- 

31 



er for examining each machine, but total received not to exceed $1,500 
and reasonable expenses in any one year. It is not probable that this 
commission will be a permanent one. 

State Veterinary Surgeon, appointed by the governor, compensation 
$5 per day. 

State Oil Inspectors, fourteen, appointed by the governor. Com- 
pensation, fees. 

State Geologist, elected by geological board, term indefinite, salary 
$800; Assistant. $1,500. 

Secretary of Library Commission, appointed by commission, term 
indefinite, salary $1,200; Clerk $720. Commission of seven members, 
four appointed by the governor, three ex-officio. Terms of appointees 
three years. No compensation. 

Custodian of Public Buildings, appointed by the governor and con- 
firmed by the senate; salary, $1,500 per annum. Has charge of state 
house and grounds and state buildings adjacent thereto. 

Other commissions and associations serving without compeuaation 
are: — 

Iowa Academy of Sciences. 

Iowa State Teachers Association. 

State Historical Society. Nine curators appointed by the governor, 
nine more elected by the society. 

Department of Iowa Grand Army of the Republic. 

Iowa Commission of Louisiana Purchase Exposition to be held at St. 
Louis. Eleven commissioners appointed by the governor, and a secre- 
tary appointed by the commission. This commission, of course, is not 
permanent Its labors will end at the close of the exposition or soon after. 

LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. 

Lieutenant Governor of the state, who is President of the Senate, 
elected by the people, term two years, salary, $1,100 for the term. 

Senate composed of fifty members elected by the people of their 
respective senatorial districts for terms of four years each. Compensa- 
tion, $550 for each regular bi-ennial session of the legislature. 

House of Representatives composed of one hundred members, elect- 
ed by the voters of their respective legislative districts for terms of two 
years. Compensation, $550 for each regular bi-ennial session of the 
legislature. 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, elected from its member- 
ship by its members. Compensation, $1,100 per regular session. 

32 




33 















34 



At an extra session of the legislature members receive a per diem 
equal to the average per diem of members at the preceding session. 

The legislature meets once in two years on the second Monday in 
January and remains in session an average of ninety days. It has no 
fixed time for adjournment. 

JUDICIARY. 

The Supreme court of Iowa is composed of six judges, elected by the 
people for terms of six years. Salaries now $4,000 per annum; to be 
$6,000 when present terms expire. The attorney general and clerk of 
the supreme court have been previously mentioned in the list of state 
officers. Sessions of the supreme court are held continuously at the 
state capital. 

The Supreme Court Reporter is an officer elected by the people for 
a term of two years. Compensation. $600 for each volume of reports 
completed. Probably three a year. 

The state is divided into twenty districts composed of from one to 
nine counties each and in which are from one to four district judges. 
The total number of district judges in the state at present is fifty-three. 
They are elected by the voters of their respective districts for terms of 
four years each and receive salaries of $3, .500 per annum. 

For each judge there is a court reporter who receives a salary ot 
$1,200 per annum. Sessions of the district court are held in each county 
in the state. 

Superior courts of one judge each are established at Cedar Rapids, 
Council Bluffs, Keokuk and Oelwein. 

FEDERAL OFFICERS. 

The state is divided into two districts, the northern and the south- 
ern, in which sessions of the United States district court are held. The 
officers in each are a U. S. district judge; clerk of circuit court and a 
deputy; clerk of district court and an assistant; U. S. district attorney 
and assistant; U. S. marshal, a number of deputies and a messenger. 

The two districts of the state are included with others in a number 
of states and territories which together constitute the jurisdiction of a 
U. S. circuit court, an associate justice of the U. S. supreme court and 
three U. S. circuit judges, presiding. None are at present residents of 
Iowa. 

There are seven U. S. commissioners, residing in various parts of 
the state. 

35 



In Iowa at present are sixty-three referees in bankruptcy, well dis- 
tributed over the state. 

The state is divided into two U. S. revenue districts with a collector 
and a number of deputies in each. 

United States pension agency for Iowa and Nebraska, located at 
Des Moines. 

United States land office at Des Moines. 

United States weather bureau at Des Moines. 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 

The officers of a county consist of an auditor, treasurer, recorder, 
sheriff, clerk of the district court, superintendent of schools, surveyor, 
coroner, county attorney and a board of supervisors, consisting in fifty- 
nine counties of three members, in thirty-seven counties of five and in 
three counties of seven. In some counties supervisors are elected by 
districts, in others by the voters of the entire county. 

The salaries of county officials vary with the population of the 
county. County auditors receive $1,200 per annum, except that in coun- 
ties of over 25,000 population the supervisors may allow additional com- 
pensation, some getting $2,500. County treasurers receive fees limited 
to from $1,300 to $1,500 per year and may have an additional allowance 
in the larger counties. County clerks, $1,100 to $2,500. Sheriffs, $2,000 
to $3,500 out of which they must pay a deputy not to exceed $1,000, but 
in no county shall the sheriffs salary be less than $1,500. County attor- 
neys, $500 to $1,500. Recorders, fees up to $1,200 to $1,500. Superin- 
tendent $1,250 and any additional amount supervisors may allow. Cor- 
oner, fees of office. Supervisors, $4.00 per day while in session and mile- 
age for attendance at 5 cents per mile; sessions limited to 20 to 50 days; 
also $2.50 per day, and no mileage, for committee work. 

In most counties the supervisors appoint a county physician to at- 
tend the poor at coimty expense, and in some cases two of them, with 
compensation fixed by the supervisors. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 
The officers of a township consist of a township clerk, three trustees. 
two justices of the peace, two constables, a road supervisor and an as- 
sessor. 

SCHOOL OFFICERS. 

School districts are of various dimensions. Some have one school 
and some a number of them. Some are divided into sub-districts and 

36 



some are not. Boards of directors are of from three to seven in mem- 
bership. All serve without pay. Each school district has a secretary 
and a treasurer. 

CTTIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 

Under the Iowa law municipal corporations are dviided into three 
classes, to-wit: cities of the first class, cities of the second class and 
towns. 

A city of the first class is one that has a population of 15,000 or over. 

A city of the second class is one that has a population of 2,000 or 
over but not exceeding 15,000. 

A town is a municipal corporation with a population of less than 
2,000. 

A village is a platted but unincorporated town site. 

The elective officers in a city of the first class are those of mayor, 
solicitor, treasurer, auditor, city engineer, assessor, and, where there Is 
no superior court, a police judge. Their terms of office are for two 
years. 

The elective officers in a city of the second class are those of mayor, 
solicitor, treasurer and assessor, elected for two years. 

The elective officers in towns are those of mayor, clerk, treasurer 
and assessor, elected biennially. 

Cities and towns are divided into wards, and councilmen are elected 
as follows: In cities of tlie first class, two councilmen at large and one 
from each ward, elected biennially. In cities of the second class two 
councilmen from each ward, one elected each year to serve for two years. 
In towns, six councilmen, two to be elected each year to serve for three 
years. 

In cities of the first class the council elects, or appoints, a clerk, city 
physician, and a street commissioner. In cities of the second class the 
council appoints a clerk and such other officers as are appointed in cities 
of the first class if deemed necessary. 

In towns the council appoints a street commissioner and such other 
oflficers as are deemed necessary. 

In each city or town the mayor appoints a marshal who in cities 
of the first class is ex-officio chief of police, and in cities of the second 
class or towns he may appoint one or more deputy marshals. In cities 
and towns the mayor also appoints as many policemen as the council by 
ordinance may direct. 

37 



The law provides that in cities having a population of 25,000 or more 
the mayor may, and in cities of 35,000 or more, shall, appoint one or 
more women as police matrons. 

SPECIAL CHARTER CITIES. 

Special charter cities are those organized under and by virtue of 
special laws passed by the legislature granting to them, individually, 
the right to organize as cities with certain powers and privileges that 
may not have been granted in general to other cities. The laws that 
apply to cities in general throughout the state do not apply to the 
special charter cities unless specifically so stated in the law itself or 
later made to apply by specific legislation. 

The special charter cities of the state are Davenport, Dubuque, 
Cedar Rapids, Muscatine and Keokuk. 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. 

Legal rate of interest in Iowa, six per cent. 

Rate allowed by contract, eight per cent. 

Statute of limitations, on open accounts, five years. 

Statute of limitations, on promissory notes, ten years. 

Statute of limitations, on judgments, twenty years. 

Days of grace, abolished. 

A voter must be a citizen of the United States, twenty-one years of 
age, a resident of the state for six months, of the county sixty days and a 
resident of the voting precinct on the day of election. The Australian 
ballot law is in effect. Voting machines may be used but have not yet 
come into use. Registration is required in cities of 3,500 or over. Lu- 
natics, idiots and persons convicted of a felony are not permitted to vote. 
Women may vote only on questions involving levies of taxes. 

Legal holidays are January 1, New Year's Day; February 22, Wash- 
ington's Birthday; May 30, Memorial Day; July 4, Independence Day; 
the first Monday in September, Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day, usually 
designated for some Thursday in November; and Decembber 25, Christ- 
mas. 

An extra session of the legislature was held in 1897 for the revision 
of the code. 

A supplement to the revised code was published in 1902. It con- 
tains general laws passed by the three general assemblies after the re- 
vision of the code; also an index to both code and supplement. 

The law provides that a similar supplement shall be published fol- 
lowing the session of every third general assembly. 

38 



General elections, for the election of state, district, county and town- 
ship officers, are held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in No- 
vember. 

City elections, for the election of city officers, are held annually or 
bi-ennially on the last Monday in March. 

School elections, for the election of directors, are held on the second 
Monday in March of each year. 

At all elections the polls open at eight o'clock in the forenoon, ex- 
cept in cities where registration is required, when they open at seven 
o'clock in the forenoon, and all close at seven o'clock in the evening. 

Registration of voters prior to election day is required in all cities of 
the state having a population of 3,500 or more. 

County taxes become due January 1st, but may be paid any time 
between that date and March 1st. If desired one-half can be paid with- 
in the time mentioned and the other half on or before September 1st., 
but where no part has been paid before April 1st, the whole becomes 
delinquent from March 1st; and where the first half has been ptild in 
time but the second half is unpaid by October 1st, the latter half be- 
comes delinquent from September 1st Delinquent taxes draw an in- 
terest penalty of one per cent a month from the time they become de- 
linquent until paid, or until the property on which the tax is levied is 
sold for the tax. Real estate is offered for sale for delinquent taxes on 
the first Monday in December To redeem from tax sale requires the 
payment of the amount sold for together with a direct penalty of eight 
per cent and eight per cent interest from date of sale; also 25 cents for 
a redemption certificate. If not redeemed within three years a tax deed 
may be issued to the purchaser by the county treasurer. 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

One of the important state departments, organized within recent 
years, is the Department of Agriculture. Its object is the promotion 
of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal industry, manufactures and 
the domestic arts. It is managed by a board called "the state board of 
agriculture" of which the governor of the state, president of the state 
college of agriculture and mechanic arts, state dairy commissioner and 
state veterinarian are ex-officio members. Other members consist of a 
president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and one director from 
each congresional district in the state. These officers and directors are 
chosen at a convention held at Des Moines on the second Wednesday in 
December of each year, the membership of which is made up as follows: 

39 



The members of the state board of agriculture, the president, secretary 
or elected delegate from each county or district agricultural society in 
the state entitled to receive aid from the state, and in counties where 
there are no societies a delegate appointed by the board of county su- 
pervisors; also the president or an accredited representative from the 
state horticultural society, state dairy association, improved stock 
breeders association, swine breeders association and each farmers insti- 
tute legally organized and in existence for at least a year. At this an- 
nual convention, in addition to the election of officers and directors, 
there is a general discussion of subjects in line with the object of the 
department, making it really a state farmers institute. 

The state board of agriculture has charge of the state fair grounds, 
owned by the state and located at Des Moines, and of the annual fairs 
and exhibits, and of all branches, bureaus and offices embraced in the 
department of agriculture. The law makes it the duty of the board also 
to look after and promote the general interests of agriculture, agricultur- 
al education, animal industries, etc., and to investigate subjects relating 
to the improvement of methods, appliances, machinery, and diversifica- 
tion of crops; also to investigate in regard to contagious diseases among 
animals, destructive insects, fungus diseases in grains, grasses and 
plants, adulteration of foods, seeds and products and to report results of 
all investigations with I'ecommendations of remedial measures for pre- 
vention of loss and damage to farming and allied interests. 

The reports of the board are embodied in an annual year book, pub- 
lished at the expense of the state, and which includes also the annual 
reports of the state dairy commissioner, dairy association, Iowa agri- 
cultural experiment station, state veterinarian, Iowa weather and crop 
service and improved stock breeders association, and such other mat- 
ter as the board may direct. This jear book is prepared by the secre- 
tary of the board who is continuously in service and who is allowed a 
salary of $1,500 per annum, paid by the state, and who may have an 
assistant at $900 per annum. 

The elective members of the board receive $4.00 per day and milage 
of five cents per mile for attending meetings of the board and for special 
work pertaining to the state fair. 

Two office rooms in the capitol are assigned to and occupied by this 
department. 

FARMERS INSTITUTES. 

The state encourages the organization of farmers institutes in ev- 
ery county in Iowa by a standing annual appropriation of $75 for one 

40 




il 




42 



institute in each county. The requirements are that forty or more 
farmers in a county organize an institute with a president, secretary, 
treasurer and an executive committee of not less than three outside of 
such oflBcers, and hold a session of not less than two days in each year, 
which may be adjourned from time to time and place to place within 
the county. No officer of the institute may receive any compensation. 
The $75, or so much of the same as may be needed, is to cover general 
contingent expenses. 

WEATHER AND CROP SERVICE BUREAU. 
The state has established at its capital a weather and crop service 
bureau. It co-operates with the national weather bureau in the collec- 
tion of weather and crop reports and statistics and meteorological data, 
and in the dissemination of weather forecasts and storm and frost warn- 
ings. This bureau is in charge of a director on a salary of $1,500 per 
annum. From April 1st to October 1st he edits a weekly weather and 
crop bulletin, printed by the state printer at the expense of the state, 
and also issues a monthly weather and crop review. These are distrib- 
uted free to the number of three thousand copies each, being sent out 
trom the office of the department of agriculture. The director, with the 
aid of the directors of the agricultural department, establishes volunteer 
stations at one or more places in each county with observers to send and 
receive reports. From October to April he gives his time largely to the 
aid of farmers institutes, arranging dates and securing speakers or lec- 
turers for a chain or circuit of meetings. 

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The state horticultural society has for its object the promotion and 
encouragement of horticulture and arboriculture in the state by the col- 
lection and dissemination of practical information in regard to the cul- 
tivation of such fruits, flowers and trees as are best adapted to the soil 
and climate of the different parts of the state. The society has rooms in 
the capitol at Des Moines which are in charge of the secretary of the 
society who also acts as librarian. Annual meetings of the society are 
held the second Tuesday of December in each year. An annual report 
by the society is edited by the secretary. It contains proceedings of the 
board, synopsis of discussions, and other matter of interest and import- 
ance to all interested in the objects of the society. 

STATE HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT. 

The state historical department of Iowa is something in which the 
people of Iowa can afford to take great interest and pride. Its impor- 

43 



tance will increase as the years go by. Its chief purpose is the collec- 
tion of everything that pertains to the history of the stute and its people. 
Collections have been made and are being added to continually of early 
publications, newspapers, pamphlets, works of history, and biography; 
portraits of men and women prominent in state and territorial aifairs; 
specimens of pottery, stone implements, bones of the mammoth and 
mastadon discovered within the state, relics of Indian use, workmanship 
and warfare, and hundreds of items of interest and importance that we 
have not space to mention. 

The state has provided a two story building at the capital in which 
to house and display the large collection already on hand, and it is esti- 
mated that last year it was visited by upwards of 50,000 people. The 
building in use is a part only of what has been planned for this depart- 
ment. It will be added to in the near future to meet the growing de- 
mand for additional room. 

This department publishes an illustrated quarterly historical maga- 
zine called the Annals of Iowa made up largely of original contributions 
of biography and historical sketches. It is sent free to every organized 
library in the state. It also issues biennial reports of historical works 
and some re-prints. 

For the work accomplished in this department, for the splendid 
foundation laid for its further growth, and for a large part of the valu- 
able collection of historical relics and data, the people of Iowa are in- 
debted to Charles Aldrich, Curator. He has given years of time and 
effort and much of personal means to this work. The value of his ser- 
vices will never be over estimated. 

PUBLIC LAND GRANTS. 

During its early history the state received from the general govern- 
ment a number of important grants of public lands, under various acts 
of congress, that may be mentioned briefly as follows: 

First, a grant of 500,000 acres for purposes of internal improvement, 
the proceeds of which were long since converted into the permanent 
school fund of the state. 

Second, the grant of every sixteenth section in each congressional 
township, which was also long since sold and the proceeds put into the 
permanent school fund. 

Third, the state university grant of lands amounting as finally certi- 
fied to 45.957.94 acres. These were disposed of to create an endowment 
fund for the university at Iowa City. 

44 



Fourth, the saline land grant; a grant to the use of not to exceed 
twelve "salt springs" within the state and six sections of land contigu- 
ous to each, finally conveyed to the state in fee simple. These lands 
amounting as certified to 46,101.53 acres, were used in part for the im- 
provement of the Des Moines river and in other ways not made clear in 
early history, a few thousand acres only finally going to the state uni- 
versity as an addition to its endowment. 

Fifth, the Des Moines river grant, amounting to 271,572.24 acres for 
the purpose of improving the channel of the Des Moines river, construct- 
ing locks, etc. Some of these lands were diverted to aid in the construc- 
tion of a railroad, but a considerable portion went into the river. 

Sixth, the swamp land grant, a donation of overflowed and swampy 
lands to the state. The amount claimed by Iowa under this grant was 
originally 4,000,000 acres. The amount certified fell far below this, the 
total amount being 553,293.33 acres. 

Seventh, the railroad grant, to aid various lines of railroad. This in- 
cluded alternate sections within a strip six miles each way from the 
respective roads, and in case lands thus designated had already been 
conveyed by the government, or were legally held by other claimants, 
then other lands in lieu could be selected. These lands amounted to 
3,063,782.21 acres. 

Eighth, the agricultural college grant, amounting to 204,309.30 acres, 
the proceeds going into an endowment for the college. 

There was also granted for state building purposes a section of land 
selected by the state at Iowa City for the capitol at that place, and five 
sections located in Jasper county which were afterward added, by the 
state, to the agricultural college endowment. 

There was some overlapping of grants, and a great many legislative 
acts in reference to these various groups of lands, and some extensive 
and long drawn out litigation, the detailed history of which would be 
lengthy and ledious. 

PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND. 

The permanent school fund of the state amounts in round numbers, 
to $4,750,000. This money is loaned to the various counties of the state 
and the counties loan to individuals on notes secured by first mortgages 
on improved farms at not less than five per cent, per annum. 

This fund was accumulated almost entirely from the sale of lands 
granted the state by the general government. A small amount may 
have been realized from the proceeds of estates escheated for want of 

45 



heirs, the law providing that such shall go into the permanent school 
fund. 

Under act of congress the state became entitled when admitted as a 
state to 500,000 acres of public lands, and by another act to each six- 
teenth section of land in every congresional township in the state. These 
were called school lands and from time to time were sold and the pro- 
ceeds placed in the permanent school fund. 

The interest on the permanent school fund is divided annually 
among the school districts of the state in proportion to the number of 
children of school age (between five and twenty-one years) in each dis- 
trict, and is used with school funds raised by taxation in maintaining 
the public schools. 

IOWA NATIONAL GUARD. 

The Iowa National Guard is recruited by volunteer enlistments and 
consists of four regiments of infantry, one signal company, and, at the 
discretion of the commander-in-chief, two batteries of artillery and two 
troops of cavalry. Original enlistments are for three years; re-enlist- 
ments for one, two or three years. They may be called out by the gov- 
ernor to aid in subduing insurrections or riots within the state, or sent 
to fill requisitions made on the state by the president of the United 
States for troops for any purpose. 

The governor of the state is commander-in-chief. His staff con- 
sists of an adjutant-general, quartermaster-general, inspector-general, 
com.missary-general, surgeon-general, judge-advocate-general, general- 
inspector of small arms practice, chief of engineers, chief signal-oflBcer. 
military secretary and seven aides. The regimental staff consists of an 
adjutant, chaplain, and quarter-master, each with rank of captain, a 
commissary of subsistance and an adjutant with rank of first lieutenant, 
for each battalion. The non-commissioned staff consists of a regimental 
sergeant-major and a sergeant-major for each battalion, a quartermaa- 
ter-sergeant, commissary-sergeant, color-sergeant, ordinance-sergeant 
and a chief trumpeter. A regimental band consists of chief musician, 
two principal musicians, drum major and not more than twenty privates 
under the leadership of the chief musician, 

A company of infantry consists of a captain, first lieutenant, second 
lieutenant, six sergeants, one being first sergeant and one a quartermas- 
ter sergeant, six corporals, two cooks, two musicians and not less than 
40 nor more than 64 privates and non-commissioned officers. 

46 



A signal company consists of a captain, two first lieutenants, two 
second lieutenants, one first sergeant, eight sergeants, sixteen corporals 
two cooks, two musicians and not less than 40 nor more than 64 privates 
and non-commissioned officers. 

A troop of cavalry or a battery of light artillery has each the same 
officers and non-commissioned officers as an infantry company and one 
farrier, one blacksmith and one saddler. 

The medical department, in addition to the surgeon-general, con- 
sists of a deputy surgeon-general with rank of lieutenant-colonel, one 
surgeon with rank of major and an assistant surgeon for each regiment. 
Several hospital stewards and privates make up the balance. 

When in active service within the state, in time of insurrection or 
riot or danger of same, they receive pay as follows: — Each field and staff 
officer four dollars per day, every other commissioned officer, two dollars 
and fifty cents per day, every non-commissioned officer two dollars, and 
every other enlisted man one dollar and fifty cents per day; also trans- 
portation, subsistance and quarters. 

The state allows $300 to each company and band for armory rent, 
fuel, lights and other necessary expenses. 

The ranks of the Iowa National Guard are filled from among the 
bright and energetic young men of the state, mostly living in cities and 
towns, or near them, where enough can be enlisted to make up a com.- 
pany. It is not intended that membership shall interfere seriously with 
ordinary avocations, except, of course, in time of riot or war. 




47 



THE GE.OLOGY 

and 

GE:0L0GICAL RBLSOURCES o/ IOWA 

By Prof. Samuel Calvin, State Geologist. 



The geological formations of Iowa embrace a fairly complete 
series from the pre-Cambrian to the Pleistocene. The only pre-Cam- 
brian rocks native to the state and exposed at the surface are of Algon- 
kian age. These occupy but a small area in the northwest corner. 
In the adjoining states of Minnesota and South Dakota, however, they 
are more extensively developed. The pre-Cambrian rocks of Iowa, 
are, in the main, hard vitreous quartzites. While the area in which 
they appear at the surface is small, they are known to underlie the later 
sediments everywhere throughout the state, and they reappear at the 
surface east of Iowa in the Baraboo ranges of Wisconsin. In Wiscon- 
sin the formation is called the Baraboo quartzite: it is known as the 
Sioux quartzite in Iowa. 

CAMBRIAN. — Strata belonging to the Cambrian system are seen 
in the northeast corner of Iowa. In this locality the formation is com- 
posed almost wholly of sandstone. It contains a small amount of 
shale; and there is a band of impure dolomite, 40 feet in thickness, 
which occurs about 100 feet below the top; but otherwise the whole 
body of the deposit, through its entire thickness of 1,000 feet, is 
composed of sandstone varying in texture, color, and the degree to 
which cementation has taken place. Speaking of it in general it may 
be said that the formation is coarse and imperfectly consolidated. 
Ripple marks upon the surface of many of the strata unite with cross- 
bedding and the generally coarse character of the sediments in pro- 
claiming the Cambrian of this part of the Mississippi Valley a shallow 
water or beach deposit accumulated on a subsiding sea margin. The 
formation is sometimes known as the Saint Croix sandstone. The for- 
mation has little or no commercial value. 

48 



So far as relates to Iowa, it appears in the bluffs of the Missis- 
sippi river and its tributaries from New Albin to McGregor. Only the 
upper part of the Saint Croix sandstone is exposed in this state; the 
main body of it everywhere lies below the level of the floors of the 
valleys. At New Albin it rises 400 feet above the water in the river; 
at Lansing it rises 300 feet; a short distance below McGregor, owing 
to its southward dip, its upper surface disappears below the level of 
the stream. 

ORDOVICIAN. — The Cambrian sandstones are followed by a body 
of dolomite; the Oneota limstone. Transitional beds along the plane 
of contact between the two formations are conspicuous in the bluffs 
bordering the stream valleys throughout northeastern Iowa. Nowhere 
in this region does the Saint Croix rise to the summit of the bluffs, and 
so the upper part of the walls of the valleys presents picturesque crags 
and towers and mural escarpments due to the presence of the cliff- 
forming Oneota dolomite. One hundred feet of the Oneota overlie the 
sandstone at Lansing, and a greater thickness of this formation appears 
in the rims of the valleys farther south. 

In the western part of Allamakee county and the eastern part of 
Winneshiek the assemblage of strata to which the name Oneota has 
been applied, is divided into three parts. The basal division, or One- 
ota proper, is about 150 feet in thickness, and is composed wholly of 
magnesian limestone or dolomite. In its lower part this division is 
regularly and evenly bedded, the stone is fine-grained and of light cream 
color. If its location were more accessible, this portion of the Oneota 
would afford some of the best quarry stone in the Mississippi valley. 
The second division embraces from twenty to thirty feet of regularly 
stratified and very ferruginous sandstone. In some places it is cross- 
bedded, in some places ripple marked. It shows every evidence of 
aqueous disposition. It is known as the New Richmond sandstone. 
Above the New Richmond is another bed of dolomite, eighty feet in 
thickness, and corresponding to the Shakopee limestone of the Minne- 
sota geologists. 

Besides the fine building stone near the base of the Oneota proper, 
the formation carries lead ores in considerable quantities, while the 
more dolomitized and massive portions of the formation are unexcelled 
for lime burning. 

49 



Resting upon the Oneota is the Saint Peter sandstone. This is a 
clean quartz sand without definite stratification, almost as incoherent 
as when it was originally deposited. It is exposed in all the valleys 
and over some of the uplands in Northeastern Iowa. It is well de- 
veloped at the "Pictured Rocks," a short distance below McGregor. 
Normally it is white, as comminuted fragments of clean, clear quartz 
ought to be; but in places it is fantastically stained with metallic 
oxides carried into the porous deposit by descending waters. The thick 
ness ranges from 60 to 100 feet. The cleaner, whiter parts have been 
used extensively for glass making. The Oneota and Saint Peter, partly 
on stratigraphic grounds, but more particularly on paleontologic evi- 
dence, are referred to the Canadian series. 

The Trenton series, which lies next above the Canadian, is rep- 
resented by two formations, the Galena-Trenton and the Maquoketa. 
The first of these is largely limestone, but it varies in its lithological 
characters in different localities. In the northern part of the State the 
limestone beds are not especially magnesian. In Dubuque county, near 
the southern margin of the area in which the Galena-Trenton is ex- 
posed, the formation is practically free from shale throughout the 
greater part of its thickness, and the upper 240 feet has been altered 
to a heavy bedded dolomite. The non-dolomitized portion of the for- 
mation has usually been called the Trenton; while the dolomitized 
phase, so well represented in the bluffs at the city of Dubuque, is 
known in geological literature as the Galena limestone. No strati- 
graphic line can be drawn between the Galena and the Trenton, how- 
ever, for beds which are heavy dolomite in one locality are represented 
by unaltered limestones in another. The dolomitized Galena is the prin- 
cipal source of lead and zinc ores of this part of the Mississippi Val- 
ley. The Galena is also an excellent lime burning rock, and, in its 
upper part it affords good quarry stone for heavy masonry. 

At a number of points in the city of Dubuque and the region ad- 
jacent the abrupt change from Galena limestone to Maquoketa shales 
may be observed. In Dubuque county the Maquoketa formation is al- 
most wholly argillaceous. The lower 60 feet is composed of lean, 
worthless shale but the rest of the formation, about 140 feet in thick- 
ness, is made up of beds which weather into a smooth, plastic clay. 
The lower division, in fauna and lithological characters, resembles the 
Utica slate. The upper member carries a fauna identical with that of 
the Cincinnati shales. 

50 




PH1MC5 MALI 






51 




CWSi3K ,s jsu/i; AR- aiiiDiwC 



52 



In Fayette, Winneshiek and Howard counties the Maquolveta forma- 
tion tal<;es on characteristics altogether different from those which it 
exhibits near Dubuque. It is much less argillaceous, and some of the 
beds, as at Ft. Atkinson, actually become heavy dolomite suitable for 
building stone. The plastic clays of the formation have been used for 
brick and pottery making. The maximum thickness is about 200 feet. 

SILURIAN. — The Silurian is represented in Iowa by a single se- 
ries which is generally referred to as the Niagara limestone. The 
formation has a thickness of more than 300 feet. Certain parts of it 
are very rich in chert, but, taken as a whole, the Niagara of Iowa is 
singularly free from shale. Throughout its entire range the calcareous 
constituent has been altered to dolomite. Notwithstanding the general 
uniformity of the material composing the formation, the characteristics 
of the beds vary within quite large limits. Some parts break into 
shapeless masses of coarse-grained, crystalline dolomite; others are 
very regularly and evenly bedded and furnish the best of quarry stone. 
The Niagara limestone occupies a large irregularly shaped area, ex- 
tending from Clinton and Scott counties, on the Mississippi River, 
northwestward into Fayette. In western Winneshiek and eastern 
Howard the Niagara limestones are absent, and the formation next 
above, which belong to the Devonian, rest directly on beds of Maquo- 
keta age. 

DEVONIAN. — At Davenport the strata are non-dolomitized lime- 
stones of Devonian age. The Devonian area trends northwest-south- 
east, beginning at Davenport and Muscatine, and extending to the 
north line of Howard, Mitchell and Worth counties. The formations 
are largely limestones, but shales are not uncommon. One division, 
the Lime Creek shales, 90 feet in thickness, is almost wholly an argil- 
laceous deposit furnishing the raw material for some of the most 
flourishing clay manufacturing enterprises in the State. Toward the 
north some of the limestone portions of the Devonian become dolomitic. 

CARBONIFEROUS. — The Carboniferous system is well developed 
in Iowa. It begins with the Lower Carboniferous series, an assemblage 
of sandstone, shales and limestones which were laid down under con- 
ditions similar to those which prevailed during the Devonian. Lime- 
stones predominated, and quite a proportion of them is made up of the 
remains of crinoids. Before the Lower Carboniferous came to an end, 
however, the general uplift of northeastern Iowa, which had been in 

53 



progress from about the close of the Cambrian, carried the region so 
high that the sea was completely drained from the surface of the State. 
Had this condition been permanent, Iowa would have had no coal. The 
elevation persisted until the surface was deeply carved and trenched by 
erosion. But subsidence followed, and after Upper Carboniferous con- 
ditions had been inaugurated, the sea advanced upon an extensive area 
which had for a long time been subject to subaerial denudation. Coal 
was accumulated along the margin of this encroaching Carboniferous 
sea. The earthly sediments were at first sands and shales; but later, 
as the waters deepened, southwestern Iowa was covered with shales 
and limestones. The marginal deposits of shales and sandstones with 
which the bulk of Iowa coal is associated, constitute the Des Moines 
stage of the Upper Carboniferous; the shales and limestones of south- 
western Iowa, laid down iu clearer and deeper waters somewhat re- 
mote from shore, make up the Missourian stage. A few thin layers of 
coal occur in the Missourian. With the close of the Missourian the 
Paleozoic sea retreated, a second time, from Iowa. 

CRETACEOUS. — After a lapse of time represented by the Permian, 
Triassic, Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous, the sea again invaded a part 
of Iowa. This time it approached from the west and northwest. The 
sediments laid down during this invasion are of Upper Cretaceous age. 
The Dakota sandstone, rich in leaves of the late Cretaceous forests, is 
well developed at Sergeant Bluff and Sioux City. The Cretaceous sea 
extended eastward almost to the longitude of Des Moines. Before it 
retired, shales and soft, chalky limestones of the Colorado stage were 
distributed over the western border of Iowa to a thickness, approxi- 
mately of 200 feet. It was about the close of the Colorado stage that 
this last marine invasion of Iowa came to an end. 

THE GLACIAL EPOCH.— Beneath the drift in some parts of Iowa 
there are some old and well cemented gravels which have been doubt- 
fully referred to the Lafayette formation. Apart from these gravels, 
all the known beds younger than the Upper Cretaceous belong to the 
glacial series. The glacial deposits of Iowa are complex. There are 
records of at least five distinct invasions of the region by northern 
glaciers. The sheets of drift left by the successive invasions of ice 
differ greatly among themselves so far as Iowa is concerned, in the 
extent of surface covered, in the composition and characteristics of the 
constituent materials, and in the evidences of age they respectively 

54 



present. Named in the order of age, the drift sheets which may be 
readily discriminated are pre-Kansan, Kansan, Illinoian, lowan, and 
Wisconsin. The first, second, fourth, and fifth came into Iowa from 
the northwest, from the Keewatin center west of Hudson Bay; the 
third advanced from the northeast, probably coming from the gather- 
ing grounds in Labrador. Between the deposits of drift and separating 
them one from another are remains of forests, beds of peat, definite 
bands of soil, and zones showing long exposure to the weather. Some 
of the interglacial intervals were much longer than all postglacial 
time. 

The geological resources of Iowa embrace coal, natural gas, quarry 
stone, lime-burning rocks, gypsum, materials for the manufacture of 
Portland cement, clays suitable for a large variety of purposes, together 
with the ores of lead, zinc and iron. But in addition to these, and as 
transcending in value all other sources of wealth, are the matchless 
soils of the state. 

The coal is bituminous, excellent for steaming and heating pur- 
poses. The coal fields cover nearly one-third of the entire area of the 
state. The supply is assured for many years to come. The natural gas 
is small in amount; all productive wells so far as known are limited to 
the drift and the supply is beyond doubt derived from the ancient 
forests entombed in the glacial deposits. Quarry stone of marketable 
quality is obtained from, the Canadian, Trenton, Niagara, Middle De- 
vonian, Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous series. The most 
important shipping quarries are in the Gower stage of the Niagara at 
Stone City and Cedar Valley and in the Kinderhook stage of the Lower 
Carboniferous east of Marshalltown. The dolomitized formations — the 
Oneota, Galena and Niagara — furnish lime-burning material of un- 
surpassed excellence, as the prosperous lime manufacturing enterprises 
in Allamakee, Dubuque, .Jackson, and Cedar counties so well attest. 
Large bodies of gypsum occurring in Webster county, afford the raw 
material for a number of stucco mills which give profitable employment 
to capital and labor on a large scale. Clays of commercial importance 
and inexhaustible in amount, occur in nearly all the geological forma- 
tions from the Trenton to the Glacial series. Among the most im- 
portant clay working plants are those using the Lime Creek shales in 
Cerro Gordo county, the Kinderhook shales in Des Moines county, the 
Des Moines shales in Polk, Dallas, and Webster counties, the Missou- 

55 



rian shales in Montgomery, and the Cretaceous shales in Woodbury. 
Brick and tile plants which use clay of Pleistocene age are found in al- 
most every county. Lead and zinc ores are mined successfully in the 
counties of Allamakee, Clayton, and Dubuque, while iron ore is mined 
on a commercial scale in Allamakee. The Saint Peter formation, in 
parts of Allamakee and Clayton counties, is pure, clean quartz sand, 
ideal material for the manufacture of glass. The following table shows 
approximately the annual value of mineral production in Iowa, so far 
as statistics of output are available: 

VALUE OF MINERAL PRODUCTION IN IOWA FOR 1901. 

Coal ? 8,052,000 

Clay 2,774.000 

Stone and Lime 794,000 

Gypsum 562,500 

Lead and Zinc 16,500 

Iron Ore 5,000 

Total value $12,204,000 

The wealth of Iowa lies in the possibilities of her splendid soils. 
According to the latest report of the Iowa Weather and Crop Service 
the direct products of the soil for the year 1902 amounted to the enor- 
mous total of $365,411,980. The average Iowa farm is more profitable 
and more reliable than the average gold mine. The soils of Iowa pro- 
duce more wealth annually than all the gold mines of the world taken 
together. 




56 



CLIMATOLOGY OF IOWA. 

FROM ANNUAL REPORT OP IOWA WEATHER AND 

CROP SERVICE. 

By John R. Sage. Director. 



CLIMATE THE CHIEF FACTOR. 
In crop production the prime factors are fertility of soil and a con- 
genial climate; and climate is the chief factor. There are millions of 
acres in this country, now comparatively worthless though containing 
abundant supplies of fertility, the one thing lacking being a favorable 
climate. Nothing can fully compensate for the lack of ample moisture 
in the growing season, as only a small part of any arid region may be 
made productive by irrigation. And prevalent low temperature, or 
frequent occurrence of frosts in the crop growing season, will render 
nugatory the most fertile soil and abundant rainfall. The true tests 
of climatic excellence are found in the tables of mean temperature and 
precipitation, and the average number of days between killing frosts 
in the crop season. Iowa has attained its present unrivaled position 
as an agricultural state by its heritage of vast wealth of soil and its 
generally favorable climate. There has been nothing near a total 
failure of the staple farm crops in the worst season experienced 
since its settlement by civilized people. There have been lean and fat 
years, but the products of the leanest season would be fatness to the 
people of less favored regions. This is the result of the fine texture 
and great depth of soil, whereby it is able to endure the greatest ex- 
tremes in form of wet or dry seasons. 

GENERAL CLIMATIC FEATURES. 
Situated near the geographical center of the United States, too far 
inland to receive the equalizing thermal effects of winds blowing di- 
rectly from the oceans, the climate of Iowa is strictly continental in 
type. This implies a very wide range in temperature, winters of con- 
siderable severity, summers of almost tropical heat, and a large per- 
centage of sunshine as compared with insular regions. As there are no 



mountain ranges nor considerable differences in the altitude of the 
several sections, the climate of the state is quite homogeneous, with only- 
such variations of temperature and rainfall as result from latitude and 
location with reference to the pathway of the cyclones which traverse 
the continent. Despite its remoteness from the oceans, the seasonal 
constants of temperature, humidity and precipitation afford a guaranty 
of ample production in the future as in the past. In fact, it is the best 
watered and most productive mid-continent region known on earth. 
Its worst drouths and seasons of floods have never been famine breed- 
ers. 

Climate is the product of certain elements and properties of the 
atmosphere, and physical features of the earth's surface. The sun's 
energy produces in the air and earth the threefold forms of force 
termed light, heat and electricity, and causes the varied phenomena of 
evaporation and precipitation. The climate of this section differs from 
that of other midland regions because of material differences in the to- 
pographic features of the western continent. The great mountain 
ranges that gridiron the western third of the continent, stretching 
from the Arctic sea to the isthmus and enclosing numerous valleys of 
the semi-arid or desert type, effectually cutting off the rain-bearing 
winds that blow inland from the Pacific ocean; as a result the eastern 
slope of the Rockies receives a scant and irregular supply of rainfall, 
and the Mississippi valley practically receives no moisture from that 
source. The western and northwestern winds in this section are cool 
and dry, while the southerly and easterly winds are warm and moist, 
affording generally an ample supply of rainfall. If the great mountain 
ranges had been stretched diagonally across this continent, cutting off 
this region from the rain-bearing wind currents from the Gulf, this sec- 
tion would be in reality the great American desert, instead of the rich- 
est domain of Ceres. 

It appears, then, that the essential features of the climate of this 
region are determined by the size and general topography of the con- 
tinental area at the westward, the height and location of the mountain 
ranges, the direction of the prevailing winds, and the general move- 
ment of the "highs" and "lows" that cross the valley. 

PRECIPITATION. 
Nearly the entire amount of moisture precipitated over Iowa and 
contiguous portions of the Mississippi valley comes directly or indi- 

58 




59 



rectly from the Gulf of Mexico. The mechanics of this irrigation proc- 
ess may be understood quite readily. By cyclonic force, or the pow- 
erful suction of low area storms of a rotary character, the warm, moist 
winds from the south are drawn up into tlie valley, and by dynamic 
cooling are made to deposit a goodly portion of their burden of mois- 
ture. It may be said, therefore, that this valley is watered by cyclones, 
which in their mechanical action and effect may be termed vast rotary 
pumps, and condensers of atmospheric vapors. This great central de- 
pression, which may be called the "'trough of the continent," extending 
from the Gulf to the Arctic Sea, gives an unobstructed pathway for the 
warm and moist south winds and the cool waves from the north, which 
here commingle in the atmospheric eddies, and refresh the earth with 
copious showers. 

The heaviest annual precipitation is deposited in the region near 
the Gulf, and there the bulk of it comes in the fall, winter and early 
spring, frequently in excessive downpours. In considerable portions of 
the Gulf region the mean annual rainfall is double the average in Iowa, 
and as a result commercial fertilizers are in demand to restore some 
measure of the loss of fertility caused by the washing and leaching proc- 
ess. This state is more fortunately located, in the region of the golden 
mean between the extremes of heavj^ precipitation at the south and 
east, and general deficiency at the west and northwest. In other words, 
the people of Iowa suffer less damage from excessive rains than their 
neighbors at the east and south, and very much less harm from drouth 
than their neighbors in the western and northwestern part of the in- 
terior valley. 

At an early day in various historic and scientific publications this 
state was credited with a mean annual precipitation of 40 to 47 inches. 
This high average was obtained from insufficient climatic data, col- 
lected at a few stations in the extreme east and southeast parts of the 
state, where the yearly average is somewhat greater than in the west 
and northwest districts. Since that early period stations have been 
established in all parts of the state, and from the mass of observations 
obtained the true mean is found to be 31.40 inches. During the past 
thirteen years, the voluminous records collected by the Iowa Weather 
and Crop Service show the state average to have been 31.07 inches. 

Prof. Lorin Blodgett's hyetal chart of the continent, published in 
1855, placed Iowa in the belt having a range of 25 to 40 inches, the 

61 



southeastern counties showing a mean of about 40 inches, the central 
belt from southwest to northeast, 30 inches, and the northwestern fifth 
of the state, about 25 inches. The more recent observations do not 
show so great a difference in the yearly rainfall of these sections. A 
bulletin issued by the Weather Bureau in 1897 contained a rain chart 
in which Iowa was placed in the belt having an average of 30 to 40 
Inches, except an area of a few thousand square miles in the belt rang- 
ing from 20 to 30 inches. Rainfall tables show that no single station 
having a record of more than ten years has an average as high as 40 
inches, and no station for a like period has an average below 23 inches 
per year. 

RAINFALL IN THE CROP SEASON. 

From an agricultural point of view the most important feature of 
the climate of Iowa is that its maximum of rainfall comes in the crop 
season, April to September, inclusive. The average winter precipita- 
tion is 3.30 inches, or 10 per cent, of the yearly amount; spring, 8.85 
inches, 28 per cent; summer, 12.15 inches, 39 per cent; autumn, 7.10 
inches, 23 per cent. In the six crop months the average rainfall is 22.48 
inches, or 71 per cent of the annual total. And in the four most critical 
crop months. May 1st to September 1st, the average for the state is 
16.29 inches, or 51 per cent. It will be seen from these figures that the 
bulk of precipitation is distributed through the months when it is 
needed for irrigation, while in the balance of the year it is relatively 
dry. This feature of the climate is more in evidence in the western 
districts than in the balance of the state. 

The Missouri valley receives the least amount, but gets a greater 
percentage in the crop season. In other words, the fall and winter 
precipitation is much lighter in the west than in the east. So there is 
in this state a wet and dry season, about as well defined as in some of 
the tropical countries. 

Professor Blodgett, in his American Climatology, referring to this 
feature in this climate, said: "For the whole period of the warm 
months the quantity of rain distributed over the Mississippi valley is 
very great, and there is no great area so far in the interior which 
presents a similar result. The quantities are absolutely as well as 
relatively large, and they considerably exceed those of the plains of the 
Atlantic coast in the same latitude." 

62 



VARIATION OF RAINFALL. 

Meteorological i-ecords in all parts of the United States show 
marked variation in the seasonal rainfall, and a perpetual succession of 
wet and dry periods, though the general averages are steadily main- 
tained through long periods. There are some faint suggestions of 
periodicity in the occurrence of wet and dry seasons, but the complex 
problems relating to the variableness of the weather have not been 
solved. All long-time tables of monthly and annual precipitation show 
that the distribution is exceedingly erratic, though the totals for the 
continents and hemispheres may be about the same from year to year. 
During the past thirteen years the lowest yearly average for this state 
was 21.91 inches in 1894, and the largest amount was 43.82 inches in 
1902. At single stations the range in total rainfall is much greater 
than for the state at large. It has occurred quite frequently that con- 
siderable portions of the state suffered from excessive moisture, while 
other districts were complaining of drouth. 

In 1894 the state average for the four critical crop months (May- 
August) was only 6.75 inches, or a monthly average of 1.68 inches. In 
1902 the total for that period was 27.80 inches, or 6.95 inches per month. 
And yet portions of the state received about the normal amount of rain- 
fall. Evaporation and precipitation are constants, but we have no 
means of determining in advance where the vapor will be precipitated, 
for that is subject to vicissitudes in the ebb and flow of the great at- 
mospheric currents of the continent. 

Since the early settlement of this section the records show that 
quite severe midsummer drouths have occurred at irregular intervals, 
averaging from one to three in each decade. The normal amount for 
the four critical months is 16.21 inches. During the past thirteen years 
this was exceeded seven times, and the average fell below the normal 
six times. There has been in fact, a greater liability toward excess 
than deficiency in the crop months, and more real damage to crops in 
this state has been caused by excess in the season of planting and 
growth than by the reverse. 

In this connection the fact maj- be noted, especially in seasonal 
rainfall, that there is a tendency in nature which causes one extreme 
to be followed by another; and this oscillation from dry to wet, or vice 
versa, may occur quickly, or it may run through two, three or four 
years. In the biennial period of 1901-1902 there was a very rapid swing 

63 



of the pendulum from excessive heat and drouth to the opposite ex- 
treme of cold and wet weather. And in respect to quality and commer- 
cial value the soil output of 1901 was much better than that of 1902. 
Generally, it may be said, the predominant influence in this valley in 
midsummer is much stronger toward prolongation of wet weather pe- 
riods than the dry weather type, A considerable portion of the sum- 
mer rainfall comes in form of local showers, which irrigate narrow 
belts and short distances; and it not infrequently happens that a por- 
tion of a single county may be well watered, while other parts are 
greatly in need of moisture. 

Though subject to very considerable fluctuations in the amount of 
rainfall in the crop season, there is a measure of compensation in the 
deep, rich and porous soil of this state, which has produced fairly good 
crops in the driest or wettest seasons. In the worst season ever ex- 
perienced in this portion of the great valley there has been no near 
approach to a famine. The most severe drouth within the past fifty 
years occurred in 1894, and yet this state produced in that year 256,- 
000,000 bushels of cereals, and sufficient other soil products to swell the 
total value to over $121,000,000. The superior quality of Iowa soil was 
noted by the late Prof. T. S. Parvin, who in a contribution to the 
American Journal of Science, Vol. XIII, said: "In 1854 occurred the 
great drouth in this and the western states generally; but owing to the 
porous nature of our soil the crops with us turned out much better 
than in the states east of the Mississippi. In 1856 the season was also 
very dry, the total quantity of rain in the summer months being only 
6.78 inches, or 10.20 below the summer mean. The crops were, notwith- 
standing, more than an average yield, both of corn and small grain; 
and the three or four dry seasons we have had abundantly prove that 
the soil and climate of Iowa are unsurpassed on the continent for farm- 
ing purposes." 

TEMPERATURE. 

On the climatological map published by the United States Weather 
Bureau, Iowa is situated in the isothermal belt wherein the mean an- 
nual temperature ranges from 45 degrees to 50 degrees. The lines in- 
closing this belt run nearly parallel from the Missouri valley to the 
Atlantic coast, and embrace a large part of the territory between 41 
degrees and 44 degrees north latitude. The mean annual temperature of 
this state is 47.5 degrees. The highest yearly mean at any station is 

64 



51.7 degrees, as shown by recoi'ds of the Weather Bureau station at 
Keokuk; the lowest is 43.2 degrees, according to records of voluntary- 
stations at Osage and Cresco. From the south line of the state to the 
Minnesota boundary the temperature gradient is quite uniform, mak- 
ing due allowance for differences in altitude of stations. 

In this part of the Mississippi valley ihe summers are warmer and 
the winters colder than on the same parallels near the Atlantic coast. 
In July the 75 degrees isotherm passes through the southern half of 
Iowa, dips southeastward below Cincinnati, passing between Baltimore 
and Philadelphia. The mean maximum of the state for July is 85 de- 
grees, and the midsummer temperature is about as high as that of Vir- 
ginia and North Carolina. In January the larger part of Iowa is 
within the isothermal belt 15 degrees to 20 degrees. These lines run 
northeastward through Wisconsin, northern Michigan, Ontario, north- 
ern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The midwinter 
temperature corresponds to that of the vicinity of Montreal, while the 
summers are as warm as in Washington, D. C, and Richmond, Va. 
The winters, however, are shorter than in the same latitude in the 
Atlantic states. The transition from winter to summer is usually quite 
rapid, the average increase in temperature in April being more than 
half a degree daily. The daily mean of April is 17 degrees higher than 
that of March, and May averages 11 degrees per day higher than April. 
The season of seeding and planting is 8 to 12 days earlier than in the 
eastern states. The autumns are usually drier and warmer in Iowa 
than in the coastal regions on the same parallels. The average dura- 
tion of summer temperature, the daily means ranging from 65 to 75 
degrees, is about four months. The average duration of winter, or the 
period having a mean below 30 degrees, is about three and a half 
months. 

The highest temperature registered in Iowa by a standard ther- 
mometer was 113 degrees at Sigourney in July, 1901. The lowest tem- 
perature recorded was 43 degrees below zero, at Cresco, in January, 
1888. These records indicate the remarkable range of 156 degrees from 
minimum to maximum temperature. These extremes of heat and cold 
are rendered more endurable to man and beast by the prevalent dry- 
ness of the air at the time of their occurrence. In the humid air of in- 
sular regions such extremes would be intolerable. In this connection 
it may be stated that both heat and cold are important factors in the 

65 



production of the great crops for which this section is noted. The 
myriad plowshares of the frost penetrate the earth to great depths, pul- 
verizing the clods and preparing the soil to respond to the quickening 
influence of the gentle rains of spring and the almost tropical heat of 
summer. This is not an ideal climate for invalids, who need equable 
temperature, but no country is better adapted to develop hardy, stal- 
wart and brainy people than this valley, where the rigors of winter 
incite men to a strenuous life. Some adverse conditions seem to be 
necessary to develop hardiness and vigor in plants, animals and man- 
kind. The best types of all races have been reared about midway be- 
tween the tropics and the Arctic zones. 

LATE AND EARLY KILLING FROSTS. 
In common with other i^ortions of this country, this state is subject 
in the crop growing season to occasional depression of temperature 
down to the frost line. On the average, however, there is immunity 
from killing frosts for a period of about 170 days. The records of the 
United States Weather Bureau stations, covering a period of about 
thirty years, show that the average date of the latest killing frost in 
the spring has been April 20th, and the earliest in autumn, October 
9th. In every season there have been light frosts at later and earlier 
dates, causing no appreciable damage to vegetation but extensive in- 
jury to staple crops by heavy frost has occurred at very infrequent in- 
tervals within the past thirty years. In 1870 Prof. T. S. Parvin wrote 
as follows: "It has happened but once or twice in the last thirty years 
that the frost has, over a great extent, seriously injured the corn crop. 
When the spring is late, the fall is either quite hot or lengthened so as 
to afford time for the crop to mature." The records covering the period 
since 1870 confirm this statement. 

SUNSHINE AND CLOUDINESS. 
Iowa enjoys the advantage of a good average amount of sunshine. 
The mean for the year is 50 to 60 per cent, and this average is main- 
tained in midwinter as well as in midsummer. A distinctive feature of 
the climate as compared with the eastern states is the large percentage 
of clear skies in the winter season. The coldest periods in winter are 
generally cloudless, as a result of the low percentage of humidity dur- 
ing prevelance of north and west winds. For the year the average for 
the state is as follows: 156 clear, 107 partly cloudy, and 102 cloudy 
days. 

66 




67 




68 



FORE.STRY. 

By Prop. L. H. Pammel. 

The subject of forestry is becoming more and more important for 
the Jta e, not only because of the depletion of the forests to the nor 
and ast but also because of the increased building opera ion. In 
snite of the fact that there has been an enormous increase of building 
L^terial of other kinds, brick, stone and iron, the per capita consump^ 
"on of wood has also largely increased. A part of th s increase is du 
tl the construction of trolley lines, the use of timber for telegraph and 
telephone poles, the increased consumption for domestic articles, chairs, 
table, etc as well as the material used for interior finishing. 

The state of Iowa is generally classed as a prairie state and cor- 
rectly so because of the 35,504,640 acres of land in the f ^e «nly about 
3 000 000 acres are covered with timber. Mr. Gannet estimates that the 
total extent of forest in the state is about 13 per cent of the total area 
of the state In spite of the fact, however, that the state is to such a 
Lge extent treeless many species are found in the state. Species be- 
longing to the north and species belonging to the south have made 
their way into the state. 

If we take a look at the chief physiographic features of the stat 
from the standpoint of timber production we shall find that the land 
adjoining the streams such as the Mississippi, the Iowa, Cedar, Wap- 
«ipinicon. Maquoketa. Turkey, Upper Iowa, Skunk. Des Moines, Rac- 
coon Chariton, Nishnabotna, Nodaway, Boyer, Big and Little Sioux 
are covered with timber. The amount of timber skirting these streams 
depends upon the local physiographic conditions. In the eastern part 
of the state where such streams as the Ma.uoketa. Cedar, and Iowa oc^ 
cur there are larger stretches of timber as these streams approach the 
mTs's ss p;i When the head waters of such streams as the Des Moines. 
Raccoon and Iowa rivers in central and northern ^owa are i-eached^ 
the timbered areas are much reduced. In eastern Iowa all ot the floo 
pllins contain considerable quantities of timber. To a large extent 

69 



this timber has been removed. In western Iowa the flood plain of 
the Missouri river contains comparatively little timber, most of 
it being found in proximity to the smaller streams that make 
their way through the alluvial drift. The timbered areas are com- 
paratively narrow in the Missouri flood plain; however, further up, 
along the streams of the Boyer and Big Sioux the timbered areas are 
wider. In most of the smaller canyons that are found in the region 
containing the loess there is considerable development of timber. The 
same trees are found at altitudes from 100 to 150 feet above the flood 
plains of the streams, whereas in eastern Iowa these same trees like 
the Kentucky coffee tree occur in the flood plain streams. In southern 
Iowa the timber area is larger than in the section of the state affected 
by the Wisconsin drift. Thus there are considerable areas in the coun- 
ties of the state bordering on the state of Missouri; the counties of Ap- 
panoose, Monroe, Wayne, and Warren have considerable rough land 
but the timber here is young. 

The distribution of timber is to a large extent influenced by cli- 
matic conditions. The temperature records show that the total annual 
precipitation from 1893 to 1898 was 22.83 inches for Sioux City; for 
Clarinda, 29.26 inches; for Keokuk, 34.16 inches, mean temperature 
from 1871-1902', 51.9°; in Decorah the precipitation from 1893-1902 was 
28.97 inches average. The precipitation for Clermont, 1877-1902, was 
29.90 inches. The mean temperature for Fayette, 1890-1902, was 45.5°. 
The rainfall in Humboldt from 1897-1902 was 28.53 inches average, the 
mean annual temperature for Humboldt was 47.2'°F. At Glenwood the 
mean annual temperature for 1898-1902 was 51.2°. 

The soil is another important feature in connection with the dis- 
tribution of forest trees. In the alluvial bottoms of the Des Moines 
and Mississippi where the alluvial deposit is light containing consid- 
erable quantities of organic matter and sand, the trees attain their 
maximum development. This is especially true of some species of trees, 
true of the cottonwood which reaches a diameter of seven and eight feet 
in some instances and a height of a hundred feet or more. The cotton- 
wood is native to more than three-fourths of the counties of the state, 
found from Lyons county south along the Big Sioux and Missouri to the 
Missouri line, and extending up the smaller tributaries of these 
streams, and in eastern Iowa likewise along all the streams excepting 
the head waters of the Iowa and Cedar rivers, but so far as I know 

70 



was not native to counties like Emmet, Kossuth, Palo Alto and Dick- 
inson, although now it is widely scattered through cultivation. It is 
hardy in all sections of the state. 

The sycamore also is native. It is perhaps the largest tree in the 
state with the exception of the cottonwood, which reaches its greatest 
development along the lower Des Moines and the Skunk, and in south- 
eastern Iowa along the Mississippi. The sycamore is native in central 
Iowa nearly as far north as Hamilton county, along the lower Cedar, 
Iowa, Wapsie and Turkey rivers. Along the Des Moines it occurs as 
far north as Polk and Boone counties. Along with this species we also 
have large numbers of elms which in many instances are four or five, 
feet in diameter. The black walnut likewise reaches its greatest de- 
velopment in the flood plains of the streams, and is found from the 
head waters of nearly all the streams in eastern Iowa up to the Min- 
nesota line, and extending along the Missouri up to Woodbury county. 
The box elder is quite generally distributed throughout the alluvial 
bottoms, especially the second alluvial bottoms; the soft maple like- 
wise has a wide distribution. It is native over larger territory than any 
other tree. It occurs from the lake region in Dickinson, Palo Alto and 
Emmet counties to Lyons county east to Allamakee county, southward 
to the Missouri line. Always a species of the alluvial bottoms it is now 
through cultivation widely extended over the prairies. 

Now when we consider the uplands a different assemblage of trees 
occurs. Ths hard maple, {AVER NIGRUM) is common everywhere in 
the state east of the Missouri slope, that is to say all streams that flow 
into the Mississippi have scattered groves of considerable size of this 
species, the Des Moines basin being practically the western distribution 
of this tree. It reaches its greatest development in the drift area along 
the Mississippi, Des Moines and Cedar and is also developed to a con- 
siderable extent in the driftless area of northeastern Iowa, the species 
being especially prominent in the shaded hill slopes, where it forms 
large groves. In some parts of Delaware county there were trees more 
than four feet in diameter. In central Iowa there were trees more than 
three and one-half feet in diameter. A black maple of central Iowa cut 
a few years ago was 160 years old. Its value for fuel and lumber has 
depleted the original forest to such an extent that it will be another 
generation before good lumber of this species will be obtained. It suc- 
ceeds well under cultivation. Of the other trees occurring on the hill- 

71 



sides mention may be made of the red elm {ULMUS FULVA), wliicli 
is found practically over the entire state. Large groves occur at the 
base of the St. Peter's sandstone and the sub-carboniferous sandstone 
in Marion, Boone and Muscatine counties. The best of this timber too, 
has long since been removed. The few remaining trees show the effect 
of the injuries from insects, fungus diseases, and over grazing. 

Of the oaks the more important of the species are the red oak 
which is widely distributed and abundant in eastern Iowa and the 
southeastern portion of the state. However, the most widely distrib- 
uted oak in the state is the bur oak. It varies gi-eatly from the tall, 
stately trees and magnificent forests that occur in southeastern Iowa 
to the diminutive scrub oak in northeastern Iowa with its gnarly 
branches found on the borders of the lakes and the loess deposit of 
western Iowa and is scarcely fit for lumber purposes. There is much of 
the cosmopolitan character of the species. 

There are fine groves of the white oak in eastern and even in cen- 
tral Iowa where. there are fine bodies of this species but I know of none 
west of the Des Moines river basin, although the species is common in 
Missouri. Prof. B. Shimek gives the number of species of oaks as 17, 
many are, however, local. 

Of the conifers the red cedar is quite widely distributed, however, 
few of the original trees remain. The largest have been found along 
the lakes in northern Iowa. North of Sioux City they are developed 
to a considerable extent along the Big Sioux. In Bremer, Fayette, Clay- 
ton, Delaware and in other counties in eastern Iowa the species was 
formerly common and the wood was used even for posts. 

The white pine, though a typical northern species, occurs in this 
state at several points, the most noted exception to its distribution be- 
ing the trees found in Hardin couny, along Pine Creek, near and on the 
Iowa river. There were trees here from two to three feet in diameter 
and 60 to 70 feet high. The sub-carboniferous sandstone made the phys- 
ical condition of this soil such that they developed into perfect speci- 
mens. Again, the distribution of the white pine in Muscatine is some- 
what anomalous, being the most southern point where the tree occurs 
in the state. There were some large trees here originally. 

In addition, one other conifer is worthy of mention, namely the 
balsam fir which occurs in Allamakee and Winneshiek counties. Its 
occurrence here is quite unusual. A few miles north of Postville on 



the Yellow I'iver is a small and thrifty grove of balsam flrs. They oc- 
cur on the springy northern slope associated with ( TAXUS CA]S!A- 
DEN8IS), {BETULA PAPYRIFERA) and {RHUS TYPHINA). This 
assemblage of plants occurs upon outcrops of the Trenton limestone. 
Prof. Macbride reports its occurrence in other localities of the vicinity. 

It may be of interest in this connection to consider briefly the 
manufactured wood products of the state of Iowa. In enumerating 
these, however, it should be stated that much of this lumber is brought 
into the state from the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The value 
of the lumber industry in the state of Iowa for the year 1850 was 
$470,760. 

By looking over the counties I find that the products for some of 
the different counties are as follows: Adair, $12,060; Boone, $15,810; 
Bremer, $37,528; Butler, $33,288; Cedar, 37,644; Clark, 21,118; Clay, 
$552; Clayton, $16,942; Dubuque, $136,011; Davis, $56,410; Fremont, 
$23,411; Jefferson, $35,807; Johnson, $86,537; Linn, $116,820; Monona, 
.$28,863; Montgomery, $1,996; Appanoose, $32,547; Winneshiek, $110,087. 

The total value of the forest products in the state outside of those 
manufactured by the saw mills in the larger cities like Dubuque, Clin- 
ton, Muscatine and Davenport. Is $3,266,449. 

Aside from the lumber industry the manufacture of boxes is im- 
portant and one of the largest basket factories in the west is located 
at Burlington, Iowa. 

One of the most important items in connection with the subject of 
forestry in the state is the question of windbreaks. The windbreak 
protects the farmer's orchard, and his stock, and nothing has done 
more to alleviate the sufferings of winter than the numerous wind- 
break plantings over the prairies of Iowa. The principal species used 
for the windbreak are the white willow (but it is not to be recom- 
mended) and several different kinds of conifers, among these white 
pine stands foremost in the eastern part of the state. The Austrian 
pine is valuable not only because of its hardiness but because of the 
shelter it affords. The bull pine of the Black Hills and the red cedar 
are all considered valuable for the windbreak. 

The Cottonwood has been used, as has the soft maple and box elder. 
Generally, however, it is advisable to use the white pine or Austrian 
pine planted in groves with some deciduous tree like the soft maple and 
the green ash. The green ash is one of the most valuable species for 
northwestern Iowa. 

73 



There has been some planting for the farmer's wood lot in many 
sections of the state and on the place of Judge Whiting cottonwoods 
that were planted in 1863 measure somewhat more than four feet in 
diameter. I am told by Mr. Whiting that more than 250,000 feet board 
measure has been removed around a one hundred and sixty acre farm. 
Surely a most profitable investment. In the eastern part of the state 
the soft maple is used much more extensively for the farmer's wood lot 
than the cottonwood. The elm, catalpa, the black walnut and haitternut. 
larch, Austrian and Scotch pine and maple have been used, and for 
eastern Iowa these are certainly desirable species, but for northwestern 
Iowa the green ash is much more valuable. The cottonwood will suc- 
ceed where it is planted in rows. The nature of the tree is such under 
natural conditions in the alluvial bottoms, that it will never form solid 
bodies. 




74 




75 



IOWA LEAD MINES. 



The first mention of the discovery of lead In the territory covered 
liy the province of Louisiana is in an account of the expedition of 
Nicholas Parrott. who in 1689 was sent by De La Barre, Governor of 
Canada, to cultivate friendly relations with the Indians of the upper 
Mississippi. x\ second discovery is narrated in an account of the ex- 
pedition of LeSuer, a French explorer, to the Blue Earth river, in Min- 
nesota, in 1700. The tract of country in which lead was discovered and 
mines afterwards developed, embraced an area of some sixty miles in 
diameter, divided by the Mississippi river, part of it being in what 
became the state of Illinois, part in Wisconsin and part in Iowa. 

In 1788, Julien Dubuque, a French Indian trader, who had previ- 
ously located at Prairie du Chien. taking with him nine other French- 
men, made settlement and began the development of the lead mines at 
the place which afterwards became the site of the city of his name, 
Dubuque. This territory was then a part of the Spanish province of 
Louisiana and was occupied by the Fox Indians. Julien Dubuque 
called together a council of chiefs and braves of this tribe at Prairie 
du Chien in September, 1788, and obtained from them permission to 
work the mines. The amount of territory claimed by Dubuque to have 
been ceded him by the Indians, was about six or seven miles in width, 
back from the Mississippi, and sixteen miles north and south along the 
river. 

Julien Dubuque cultivated friendly relations with the Indians and 
acquired no small influence over them. He gathered about him a 
colony of French and half-breeds, built a furnace for smelting lead, put 
in a horse-power mill and established a lucrative trade with the In- 
dians, getting his goods in St. Louis in exchange for lead. In October, 
1804, he transferred about seven-eighths of the claim he had acquired 
-from the Indians to Auguste Chateau, of St. Louis. This conveyance 
covered probably twenty thousand acres of land. 

Julien Dubuque died at his mines in 1810. He was buried in a 
stone vault on a high bluff near an Indian village at the mouth of Cat 
Fish creek. A red cedar cross was erected near by on which was in- 
scribed in French: "Julien Dubuque, Miner of the Mines of Spain. 
Died 24th of March, 1810, aged 45 years and 6 months." 

76 



For the next twenty yeai's but little mining was done. Warring- 
between Indian tribes rendered the locality unpleasant if not danger- 
ous and the French colony became scattered. In the mean time the 
Sioux Indians had become victors and ruled the territory and they 
themselves worked the mines in a hap-hazard sort of way. But they 
guarded the place with great care and for a long time kept the whites 
entirely away. 

In 1830 the Langworthy brothers and a few others associated with 
them secured permission from the Indians to visit the mines. They 
found but few traces of the imnrovements made by Julien Dubuque and 
his colony. Twenty years' possession by the Indians had nearly ob- 
literated their tracks. Just prior tc the arrival of the Langworthy 
company the Indians all left on some important western expedition 
and the new party of miners took possession. Other venturesome spir- 
its soon joined them and business was quite brisk at the lead mines. 

At this time the territory west of the Mississippi river belonged by 
treaty to the Sac and Fox Indians, and the United States government in 
order to preserve peace and properly protect the Indians in their treaty 
rights, ordered the whites out of the territory. This order was given 
through Colonel Zachary Taylor, then in command of a detachment of 
troops at Prairie du Chien. He gave the miners a week's time in which 
to get ready and leave, and sent a company of soldiers to enforce the 
order, and the miners were obliged to abandon their homes and labors 
and cross to the east side of the river. A military force was then sta 
tioned at the mines to keep settlers and prospectors away. The In- 
nians then engaged in digging oat ieaa under the protection of the 
soldiers, until early in 1832 when the Blackhawk war broke out and 
the soldiers were withdrawn to help fight the Indians on the east side 
of the river. This war terminated in August, 1832', when Blackhawk 
surrendered. 

Following this came a treaty of peace and a purchase by the gov- 
ernment of a strip of territory on the west pide of the river extend- 
ing back about forty miles and thereafter known as the Blackhawk 
purchase. 

At the conclusion of treaty negotiations in the fall of 1832, those 
who had been driven from the mines by the soldiers in 1830, returned, 
erected cabins and resumed mining operations. 

GYPSUM. 

Extensive deposits of gypsum are found in Iowa, principally near 
the city of Fort Dodge. Mines are operated there on a large scale. 

77 

LofC. 



BRIEFLE.TS. 



Iowa has something over 1,300 banks. 

Iowa has 1,674 postoffices. 

Iowa has extensive lead mines. 

Iowa has 14,000 school houses. 

Iowa has 9,725 miles of railway. 

Iowa has an immense deposit of gypsum. 

Telephone lines run everywhere in Iowa. 

Iowa has well enforced fish and game laws. 

Iowa has 671 incorporated cities and towns. 

Iowa has 99 counties. 

Iowa has over a million dollars in its state treasury. 

Very few farmers in Iowa live ten miles from a railroad. 

Tax levies are made upon one-fourth the actual value of property. 

Farm loans in Iowa are mostly made at five per cent interest per 
annum. 

County taxes in Iowa may be paid in two, semi-annual install- 
ments. 

Iowa has 760 creameries, which turn out the best butter in the 
world. 

Iowa has hundreds of quarries where good building stone is ob- 
tained. 

There are two hundred and fifty public libraries in Iowa. Private 
ones are not enumerated. 

One of the biggest and best crops that Iowa raises is that of men 
and women. 

Iowa has a large number of factories of various kinds. 

Iowa has several points on its rivers where immense water powers 
could be developed. 

Iowa has 1.220 telephone companies, with lines running from one 
to over six thousand miles. 

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Interurban electric trolley lines are being built, and others pro 
jected in various parts of the state. 

Iowa has 700 flouring mills, and the value of their annual output 
aggregates about $14,000,000. 

Iowa has banks of clay in almost every county from which good 
bricks are made for building purposes, and in many places suitable also 
for making tile and pottery. 

Iowa has good well water, good spring water and good water in its 
swift flowing streams and in its lakes. 

Iowa has a flourishing Horticultural Society with ofl[ices in the 
capitol building at Des Moines. 

The total annual output of the coal mines of Iowa is about six 
millions of tons. 

Twenty-three of the 99 counties in Iowa have productive coal 
mines. 

Iowa has sixteen plants that manufacture food preparations, and 
the value of their annual product is over $3,600,000. 

Iowa has over 900 cheese, butter and condensed milk factories, and 
the value of their annual product is almost $16,000,000. 

Iowa is an inviting field for the manufacturer. Its people are pros- 
perous and enterprising and liberal buyers of manufactured articles. 

The state encourages the organization of farmers' institutes in 
every county in Iowa by a standing appropriation of $75 for an insti- 
tute in each county. 

The state of Iowa maintains a Weather and Crop Service Bureau, 
which publishes weekly and monthly bulletins, distributed free to all 
parts of the state. 

Iowa has 67 daily newspapers, 10 tri-weekly, 55 semi-weekly, 945 
weekly, 9 bi-weekly, 61 monthly and 10 bi-monthly and quarterly pub- 
lications; a total of 1,157. 

Scattered around over the 99 counties of Iowa are upwards of 360 
brick, tile and pottery plants, and the value of their aggregate annual 
output is over $2,250,000. 

Iowa has an Agricultural Department with offices in the capitol 
at Des Moines. This department has charge of the annual state fairs 
held on the grounds for that purpose owned by the state. 

Iowa has a permanent school fund amounting in round numbers 
to $4,750,000. This is loaned to the farmers of Iowa at not less than 

79 



DEC 3 1904* 



five per cent pei- annum and the interest helps support the public 
schools. 

The secretaries of the business men's associations and commer- 
cial clubs of the larger cities and towns of Iowa will be glad to give 
full information as to local resourses and advantages whenever re- 
quested to do so. 

Legal holidays are Jan. 1, New Year's Day; Feb. 22, Washington's 
birthday; May 30, Memorial Day; July 4, Independence Day; First 
Monday in September, Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day, in November; 
Dec. 25, Christmas. 

The larger cities of Iowa and many of the smaller ones, have 
paved streets, electric car lines, gas and electric light plants, water 
works, fire departments, sewerage systems, public libraries, public 
parks, fine churches and handsome residences. 

Iowa is first of all states in the United States and territories in 
the value of its farm products, and in the value of domestic animals. 

First in the number of its hogs. 

First in the number of its horses on farms. 

Second in the number of its cattle, Texas being first. 

Second in the total combined value of its farm lands, improve- 
ments, live stock and farm implements, Illinois being first. 

Legal rate of interest in Iowa, six per cent. 

Rate allowed by contract, eight per cent. 

Status of limitations, on open accounts, five years. 

Status of limitations, on promissory notes, ten years. 

Status of limitations, on judgments, twenty years. 

Days of grace, abolished. 



(t3C?3Ct3[t3[t]Ct]Ct3 




80 



